Ionization and dissociation of the formic acid molecule (HCOOH) by energetic charged particles have been studied for 1 keV electrons and nearly equivelocity 2 MeV protons. Whereas the fragmentation pattern induced by impact of electron and proton show close similarities, some distinctions in the fragmentation yields were observed for these equivelocity projectiles.

Photon stimulated ion desorption (PSID) studies have been performed in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) using synchrotron radiation, covering from valence to core electron (Cl 2p and C 1s) energy ranges. Data acquisition was performed at the TGM beam line from the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source (LNLS), operating in a multi-bunch mode and using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). A new pulsed system developed uses as a trigger for the TOF-MS experiments the pulsed extraction high voltage applied to the sample. Ionic desorption from PVC and PVDC shows strong selectivity in the formation of chlorine ions around the Cl 2p-edge while very similar fragmentation patterns are observed for the other energies studied.

Ionic fragmentation of the sublimated amino acid DL-proline has been studied using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and synchrotron radiation. Total ion yield and mass spectra were recorded in the 13 to 21.6 eV energy range. Partial ion yields have been calculated for the produced fragments and the results analyzed in a comparative way. Mass spectrum of proline previously obtained at 21.21 eV using photons from a discharge lamp (He I), was used as reference in the comparison to the synchrotron radiation based spectra. The loss of the COOH fragment represents the most probable dissociation pathway following the photoionization of DL-proline in the valence region. These are the first results of total and partial ion yields spectra for this molecule in its gas phase in the valence region using time-of-flight spectrometry.

Angle-resolved electron energy-loss spectra have been measured for the methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene molecules in the 0 - 50 eV energy range. The spectra have been obtained at 1 keV incident energy, with an energy resolution of 0.8 eV and covering an angular range of 2.0 to 7.0 degrees. Within our knowledge, this is the first gas-phase excitation spectrum for MMA and styrene in this energy range. The spectra of MMA at small scattering angles are dominated by an intense peak at 6.7 eV followed by a broad band centered at about 16 eV. In the case of styrene, six bands can be observed in the spectra. Based on the angular behaviour of the excitation spectra of these molecules, the low-lying peaks observed are considered to be associated predominantly with dipole-allowed processes. In both cases, new bands can be observed for excitation energies greater than 20 eV. This could be associated with dipole-forbidden transitions to shake-up and doubly-excited states.