The origin of enhanced $${{{{{{{{\rm{O}}}}}}}}}_{2}^{+}$$ O 2 + production from photoionized CO2 clusters

Abstract

In the Martian atmosphere, CO2 clusters are predicted to exist at high altitudes motivating a deeper understanding of their photochemistry. Here the authors use quantum chemistry calculations and multi-coincidence mass spectrometry to show that a size-dependent structural transition enhances the production of $${{{{{{{{\rm{O}}}}}}}}}_{2}^{+}$$ O 2 + from photoionized CO2 clusters.