Penning ionization

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Penning ionization is a form of chemi-ionization, an ionization process involving reactions between neutral atoms and/or molecules. The term Penning ionization refers to an the interaction between a gas-phase excited-state atom or molecule G* and a target molecule M resulting in the formation of a radical molecular cation M+., an electron e- and a neutral gas molecule G.

G* + M → M+. + e- + G

Associative Penning ionization can occur:

G* + M → MG+. + e-

Surface Penning ionization refers to the interaction of the excited-state gas with a surface S, resulting in the release of an electron.

G* + S → G + S + e-

Penning ionization occurs when the target molecule has an ionization potential lower than the internal energy of the excited-state atom or molecule. The process was first reported by F.M. Penning in 1927.


[edit] Reference

Penning, F. M. Die Naturwissenschaften, 1927, 15, 818. Über Ionisation durch metastabile Atome.

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