Electronic shell model contemplation of the dissociation dynamics of Al8+: a collision-induced dissociation study

For the collision-induced dissociation of small cationic aluminum clusters, the release of Al+ is known to dominate. An exception is Al8+, where we find the neutral atom evaporation to be energetically favorable, and to couple strongly with the Al+ release. These experimental results are discussed in the frame of the Clemenger–Nilsson electronic shell model. We find the electronic shell model to offer a consistent interpretation of the energy dependence of the dissociation dynamics of Al8+, if the crucial role of collisional deformation is taken into account.