The escape of O+ ions from the atmosphere: An explanation of the observed ion density profiles on Mars

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 666; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Falcinelli, Stefano, Pirani, Fernando, Alagia, Michele, Schio, Luca, Richter, Robert, Stranges, Stefano, Vecchiocattivi, Franco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2016
• ISSN: 0009-2614; 1873-4448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2016.09.003

[Display omitted] •The KER for O+ and CO+ formed by Coulomb explosion of CO22+ are measured.•O+ and CO+ participate in the atmospheric escape from Mars and Titan into space.•It can be explained the observed behavior of O+ and CO22+ density profiles on Mars atmosphere. Experimental determinations of the Kinetic Energy Released (KER) for ions, originating by Coulomb explosion of CO22+ dications produced by double photoionization of CO2, are reported. The KER are measured by using synchrotron radiation in the range of 34–50eV coupled with electron-ion-ion coincidence technique. For O+ and CO+, originating by Coulomb explosion of CO22+, KER are ranging between 1.0–5.0 and 0.4–3.0eV, respectively, being large enough to allow these ions in participating in the atmospheric escape from Mars and Titan into space. An explanation for the observed behavior of O+ and CO22+ ion density profiles on Mars atmosphere is proposed.