Rare gas matrix detector for molecular fragmentation studies

Fragment-specific detection following electron or photon dissociation of molecules is often an essential element for accurate characterization of the dissociation pathways and energetics. Previously, a Xe matrix has proved to be a sensitive and selective detector for oxygen or sulphur 1S0 metastable atoms. In the present work the use and performance of other rare gas matrices for metastable particle detection is evaluated and quantified.