The understanding of elementary processes involving molecular and cluster ions is important in many areas of science and technology such as environment, astrophysics, plasma and radiation damage. For the investigation the following experiments will be done:

Association-decay processes of ion clusters, relevant for the understanding of atmospheric problems. These studies will be aimed not only at obtaining values of association rate constants but also to get additional information on the elementary processes involved in the overall reaction. In particular the project will focus on the following systems: NO+ + (H2O3) + H2O; NO+(H2O)4 + H2O; H3O+(H2O) + CH3CN; and SF5+H2O ® SF3+ O + 2 HF

Reaction dynamics of simple ions with polyatomic neutral molecules (including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons). In particular the project will focus on measurements relevant for (a) the modelling of industrial plasmas (plasma deposition of thin films) and (b) the analytical application of ion-neutral reactions (low energy chemical ionisation).

Experimental investigations on reaction dynamics and the spectroscopy of X(H2)n+ ion clusters (with X = H, CH3) will be done using flow, beam and laser techniques.

The aim of this project is to support the future activity of the Russian group by stimulating stronger co-operation with west European research teams active in the same research area and provide suitable technical and financial support for the necessary upgrading of the equipment at their laboratory.