This thesis presents a series of electron impact ionization measurements on the gas phase targets of argon and krypton. The (e,2e) coincidence technique has been employed to measure the triple differential cross section (TDCS) using a new coincidence spectrometer designed to operate in the low energy regime (2 to 5 times the ionization energy) and in the coplanar geometry. The spectrometer is a conventional device utilizing a non-energy selected electron gun and two 1800 hemispherical electron analysers fitted with channel electron multipliers for detection of the outgoing electrons. A series of TDCS measurements were performed on the 3s inner-valence and 3p valence orbitals of argon employing coplanar asymmetric kinematics. Measurements for both orbitals were performed at an incident energy of 113.5 eV, ejected energies of 10, 7.5, 5 and 2 eV and a scattering angle of -15°. The energy of the scattered electron in each case was chosen to satis~' energy conservation and is dependent on the ionization energies of the different orbitals. The experimental cross sections are compared to theoretical TDCS calculations using the distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) and variations of the DWBA in an attempt to investigate the role that post collisional interaction (PCI), polarization and electron exchange play in describing the TDCS in the low energy regime. To further extend this analysis, a series of TDCS measurements were performed on the 3s and 4s. orbitals of argon and krypton, respectively, employing coplanar symmetric kinematics. Measurements were performed for the 3s orbital at outgoing energies of 50, 20, 10 and 4eV and for the 4s orbital at outgoing energies of 85, 50, 20 and 10 eV. The kinematics were chosen to coincide with several of the (e,2e) measurements made in the same geometry on the 3p orbital of argon by Rouvellou et al (1998). The experimental results were again compared to a DWBA calculation and similar variations to those employed for the asymmetric measurements.

The soft x-rays (wavelengths less than 30 nm) emitted by the sun are responsible for the production of high energy photoelectrons in the D and E regions of the ionosphere, where they deposit most of their energy. The photoelectrons created by this process are the main drivers for dissociation of nitrogen ($N_2$) molecules in the altitude range below 200 km. The dissociation of $N_2$ is one of main mechanisms responsible for the production of nitric oxide (NO) at these altitudes. These processes are important to understand because NO plays a critical role in controlling the temperatures of various regions of Earth's atmosphere. In order to estimate the dissociation rate of $N_2$ we need its dissociation cross-sections. The dissociation cross-sections of $N_2$ due to inelastic collisions with electrons is primarily es- timated from the cross-sections of its excitation states (using predissociation factors) and dissociative ionization channels. Predissociation is the transition without emission of radi- ation from a stable excited state to an unstable excited state of a molecule that leads to dissociation. Unfortunately, the lack of cross-section data, particularly at high electron en- ergies and of higher excited states of N 2 and N 2 + , introduces uncertainty in the dissociation cross-section and subsequently the dissociation rate calculation, which leads to uncertainties in the NO production rate. We have updated a photoelectron model with thoroughly-revised electron impact cross- section data of all major species and experimentally determined predissociation factors. The dissociation rates of $N_2$ using this model are compared to the dissociation rates obtained using another existing (Solomon and Qian [2005]) model. A parameterized version of the updated dissociation rates are used in a one-dimensional global average thermospheric/ ionospheric model, ACE1D (Atmospheric Chemistry and Energetics), to obtain the updated production rates of NO. In the final chapter, we use the ACE1D model to show that the energies deposited by the solar soft x-rays in the lower thermosphere at altitudes between 100 -150 km affect the temperature of the Earth's thermosphere at altitudes well above 300 km. By turning off the input solar flux in the different wavelength bins of the model iteratively, we are able to demonstrate that the maximum change in exospheric temperature is due to changes in the soft solar x-ray bins. We also show, using the thermodynamic heat equation, that the molecular diffusion via non-thermal photoelectrons is the main source of heat transfer to the upper ionosphere/thermosphere. Moreover, these temperature changes and heating effects of the solar soft x-rays are comparable to that of the much stronger He II 30.4nm emission. Finally, we show that the uncertainties in the solar flux irradiance at these soft x-rays wavelengths result in corresponding uncertainties in the modeled exospheric temperature, and these uncertainties increase substantially with increased solar activity. / Doctor of Philosophy / The radiation from the sun covers a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The soft x-rays with wavelengths less than 30 nm are the most energetic and variable part of the spectrum, and would have detrimental effects on humans were they not absorbed by the atmosphere. The absorption of soft x-rays by the Earth's atmosphere at altitudes near 100- 150 km creates ionized and energized particles. These energetic changes can affect and even damage the satellites in low Earth orbit, and can cause radio communication blackouts and radiation storms (large quantities of energetic particles, protons and electrons accelerated by processes at and near the Sun). Therefore, we need to have good models that can quantify these changes in order to correctly predict their effects on our atmosphere, and help to mitigate any harmful effects. The soft x-rays and the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) are responsible for ionization of the major neutral species, $N_2$ , $O_2$ and O, in the Earth's atmosphere, which leads to the production of ions and energetic photoelectrons. These high energy photoelectrons can cause further ion- ization, excitation and dissociation. We study the dissociation of $N_2$ by these photoelectrons to create neutral N atoms. The N atoms created via this process combine with the $O_2$ in the atmosphere to produce nitric oxide (NO), which is one of the most important minor constituents because of its role in regulating atmospheric heating/cooling. The production of NO peaks near 106 km altitude, where most of the energy of the soft x-rays are deposited. However, they also affect the temperature of the upper atmosphere well above this altitude. This is because the energy of the photoelectrons is conducted to the upper atmosphere by collisions of electrons and ions with ambient neutral atoms and molecules, thus increasing their temperature. In this study, we use modeling of soft x-ray irradiance, photoelectron ionization, excitation and dissociation rates and atmospheric neutral temperature to quantify the effects of soft x-rays on the Earth's atmosphere.

In the field of physical chemistry, the relatively recently developed technique of velocity-map imaging has allowed chemical dynamics to be explored with a greater depth than could be previously achieved using other methods. Capturing the scattering image associated with the products resulting from fragmentation of a molecule allows the dissociative pathways and energy landscape to be investigated. In the study of particle physics, the neutron has become an irreplaceable spectroscopic tool due to the unique nature of the interaction with certain materials. Neutron spectroscopy is a non-destructive imaging technique that allows a number of properties to be discerned, including chemical identification, strain tensor measurements and the identification of beneath the sample surface using radiography and tomography. In both of these areas, as well as a multitude of other disciplines, a flight tube is used to separate particles, distinguishing them based upon their mass in the former case and their energy in the latter. The experiments can be vastly enhanced by the ability to record both the position and arrival time of the particle of interest. This thesis describes several new developments made in instrumentation for experiments involving time-of-flight particle imaging. The first development described is the construction of a new velocity-map imaging instrument that utilises electron ionisation to perform both steps of molecular fragmentation and ionisation. Data from CO2 is presented as an example of the ability of the instrument, and a preliminary analysis of the images is performed. The second presented project is the design of a time-resolved and position-resolved detector developed for ion imaging experiments. The hardware, software and firmware are described and presented alongside data from a variety of the experiments showcasing the breadth of investigations that are possible using the sensor. Finally, the modifications made to the detector to allow time-resolved neutron imaging are detailed, with an in-depth description of the various proof-of-concept experiments carried out as part of the development process.

Les nano-applications utilisant des faisceaux d'ions focalisés nécessitent des sources d'ions à haute brillance avec une faible dispersion en énergie (ΔE) ce qui permet une excellente résolution latérale et un courant d'ions suffisamment élevé pour induire des vitesses d'érosion raisonnables et des rendements élevés d'émission électronique et ionique. Les objectifs de cette thèse sont le développement d'une source d'ions basée sur l'impact électronique ayant une brillance réduite Br de 10³ – 10⁴ A m⁻² sr ⁻ ¹ V⁻ ¹, une dispersion en énergie ΔE ≲ 1 eV et un choix polyvalent d'ions. Le premier concept évalué consiste à focaliser un faisceau d'électrons à une énergie de 1 keV entre deux électrodes parallèles distant de moins d'un millimètre. Le volume d'ionisation « micrométrique » est formé au-dessus d'une ouverture d'extraction de quelques dizaines de µm. En utilisant un émetteur d'électrons LaB₆ et une pression de 0.1 mbar dans la région d'ionisation, Br est proche de 2.10² A m⁻² sr ⁻ ¹ V ⁻ ¹ avec des tailles de source de quelques µm, des courants de quelques nA pour Ar⁺/Xe⁺/O₂ ⁺ et une dispersion en énergie ΔE < 0.5 eV. La brillance réduite Br est encore en dessous de la valeur minimum de notre objectif et la pression de fonctionnement très faible nécessaire pour l'émetteur LaB₆ ne peut être obtenue avec une colonne d'électrons compacte, donc ce prototype n'a pas été construit.Le deuxième concept de source d'ions évalué est basé sur l’idée d’obtenir un faisceau ionique à fort courant avec une taille de source et un demi-angle d’ouverture similaire aux résultats du premier concept de source, mais en changeant l’interaction électron-gaz et la collection des ions. Des études théoriques et expérimentales sont utilisées pour l’évaluation de la performance de ce deuxième concept et de son utilité pour les nano-applications basées sur des faisceaux d'ions focalisés. / High brightness low energy spread (ΔE) ion sources are needed for focused ion beam nano-applications in order to get a high lateral resolution while having sufficiently high ion beam currents to obtain reasonable erosion rates and large secondary electron/ion yields. The objectives of this thesis are: the design of an electron impact ion source, a reduced brightness Br of 10³ – 10⁴ A m⁻² sr⁻ ¹ V⁻ ¹ with an energy distribution spread ΔE ≲ 1 eV and a versatile ion species choice. In a first evaluated concept an electron beam is focussed in between two parallel plates spaced by ≲1 mm. A micron sized ionisation volume is created above an extraction aperture of a few tens of µm. By using a LaB₆ electron emitter and the ionisation region with a pressure around 0.1 mbar, Br is close to 2.10² A m⁻² sr ⁻ ¹ V ⁻ ¹ with source sizes of a few µm, ionic currents of a few nA for Ar⁺/Xe⁺/O₂ ⁺ and the energy spread being ΔE < 0.5 eV. The determined Br value is still below the minimum targeted value and furthermore the main difficulty is that the needed operation pressure for the LaB₆ emitter cannot be achieved across the compact electron column and therefore a prototype has not been constructed. The second evaluated source concept is based on the idea to obtain a high current ion beam having a source size and half-opening beam angle similar to the first concept, but changing the electron gas interaction and the ion collection. Theoretical and experimental studies are used to evaluate the performance of this second source concept and its usefulness for focused ion beam nano-applications.

In this dissertation, different approaches have been employed to address the quest of understanding the formation and growth mechanisms of carbon-containing molecular ions with relevance to astrochemistry. Ion mobility mass spectrometry and DFT computations were used to investigate how a second nitrogen in the pyrimidine ring will affect the formation of a covalent bond between the benzene radical cation and the neutral pyrimidine molecule, after it was shown that a stable covalent adduct can be formed between benzene radical cation and the neutral pyridine. Evidence for the formation of a more stable covalent adduct between the benzene radical cation and the pyrimidine is reported here. The effect of substituents on substituted-benzene cations on their solvation by an HCN solvent was also investigated using ion mobility mass spectrometry and DFT computations were also investigated. We looked at the effect of the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents in fluorobenzene, 1,4 di- fluorobenzene, and benzonitrile on their solvation by up to four HCN ligands, and compared it to previous work done to determine the solvation chemistry of benzene and phenylacetylene by HCN. We report here the observed increase in the binding of the HCN molecule to the aromatic ring as the electronegativity of the substituent increased. We also show in this dissertation, DFT calculations that reveal the formation of both hydrogen-bonded and electrostatic isomers, of similar energies for each addition to the ions respectively. The catalytic activity of the 1st and 2nd row TM ions towards the polymerization of acetylene done using the reflectron time of flight mass spectrometry and DFT calculations is also reported in this dissertation. We explain the variation in the observed trend in C-H/C-C activity of these ions. We also report the formation of carbide complexes by Zr+, Nb+, and Mo+, with the acetylene ligands, and show the thermodynamic considerations that influence the formation of these dehydrogenated ion-ligand complexes. Finally, we show in this dissertation, a novel ionization technique that we employed to generate ions that could be relevant to the interstellar and circumstellar media using the reflectron time of flight mass spectrometry.

Ce travail présente une étude théorique de l’ionisation simple par impact électronique appelé (e, 2e) et la photo-double ionisation (γ, 2e) de la molécule CO2. Dans ces expériences complètes les particules émergeant sont détectées en coïncidence. Ceci permet l’étude de la structure électronique de la cible et les mécanismes de l’ionisation. L’originalité de notre approche réside dans l’introduction d’un modèle à trois centres coulombiens (ThCC) satisfaisant les conditions asymptotiques correcte jusqu’à l’ordre de O ((kr) −2 dans la description des électrons émergeant dans le cadre de la première approximation de Born. L’état initial de la cible est décrit par des orbitales de Dyson construites sur une base de fonctions Gaussiennes. Des valeurs empiriques pour l’écrantage des trois noyaux de la cible due aux électrons inactives et pour les paramètres de Sommerfeld dans le potentiel d’interaction et les fonctions Coulombiennes, respectivement, sont introduits pour obtenir un meilleur accord avec les résultats expérimentaux. Pour le cas du photo-double ionisation le double continuum est décrit par un modèle à trois centres corrélé / This work presents a theoretical study of single electron impact ionization called (e, 2e) and the photo-double ionization (γ, 2e) of the CO2 molecule. In these complete experiments, the emerging particles are detected in coincidence. This allows the study of the electronic structure of the target and the mechanisms of the ionization. The novelty of our approach is the introduction of a three-center Coulomb model (ThCC) satisfying the correct asymptotic conditions until the order of O ((kr) −2 in the description of emerging electrons through the first Born approximation. The initial state of the target is described by Dyson orbitals constructed on the basis of Gaussian functions. Empirical values for the screening of the three cores of the target due to the inactive electrons and to Sommerfeld parameters in the interaction potential and Coulomb functions, respectively, are introduced to obtain a better agreement with the experimental results. In the case of photo-double ionization, the double continuum is described by a correlated three centers model

In this work, different double ionization (DI) mechanisms of various atomic and molecular targets by electron impact at different intermediate incident energies have been studied by so-called (e, 3-1e) and (e, 3e) experiments. Four and five fold differential cross sections in angle and in energy have been measured and analyzed in a coplanar geometry. The experimental measurements are compared with both first order and second order theoretical model calculations. The results shows that the theories including second order mechanism (such as Two Step 2, TS2) are generally in better agreement with the experimental data than these only including first order mechanisms (such as Shake Off and Two Step 1). This demonstrates that under present kinematics, second order mechanism plays an important role or even dominates over first order mechanisms. Besides, all DI results are compared with the predictions of TS2 kinematical analysis developed by Lahmam-Bennani et al (2010). Most of the structures shown in the measured angular distribution can be correctly explained by the TS2 kinematical analysis predictions. Besides, we extend this model by including the recoil contribution in each step. Some structures which cannot be explained by the previous model are well explained by the extended TS2 kinematical model. The isoelectronic target structure influence in DI is investigated preliminarily. The (e, 3-1e) results on Ne and CH₄ indicate the differences under same kinematics. The data analysis is underway.

V této práci je prezentována studie fragmentačního procesu zvolené molekuly a jeho vztah ke složení fragmentačních produktů. Práce je zaměřená na výpočet fragmentační energie molekuly pomocí ab initio kvantově chemických metod, metodou „density functional theory (DFT)“ a také srovnáním s experimentem. Je prezentován vliv výpočetní metody, bázového setu, a geometrie molekuly na simulaci. Byla porovnána fragmentace methylfenylsilanu (MPS), dimethylfenylsilanu (DMPS), a trimetylfenylsilanu (TMPS). Fragmentace byla iniciována monochromatickým elektronovým svazkem (EII). Hmotnostní spektrometrie byla využita ke studiu složení fragmentačních produktů MPS a TMPS. Fragmentační produkty MPS a TMPS měřené v rámci této práce byly doplněny o experimentální studii DMPS, která byla prezentována v literatuře. Takto byla získána řada molekul, které jsou strukturně podobné, ale mají výrazně rozdílné chování během fragmentace. Pomocí měření účinného průřezu byly měřeny disociační energie vazeb a tyto disociační energie byly vypočteny pomocí metody DFT. Kombinací teoretického výpočtu metodou DFT a experimentálního měření jsme poukázali na společné rysy a na rozdíly ve fragmentačním schématu všech tří molekul. Navrhli jsme odštěpení dvou vodíkových atomů během plazmově indukovaného fragmentačního procesu. Vodíky mohou být odštěpeny pomocí dvou mechanismů: i. odštěpení dvou vodíků jeden po druhém a ii. odštěpení molekuly H2 v jednom kroku. Z profilů energie dokážeme určit, který mechanismus bude v tom konkrétním případě pravděpodobnější. Předpokládaný mechanismus je v korelaci s experimentálními výsledky fragmentace zjištěnými z hmotnostních spekter.

Dans ce travail, différents mécanismes conduisant à la double ionisation de plusieurs cibles atomiques ou moléculaires par impact d’électrons d’énergie incidente moyenne (600-700 eV) sont étudiés par des expériences de coïncidence dites (e, 3-1e) et (e, 3e). Dans ces expériences, les sections efficaces quadruplement et quintuplement différentielles en angles et en énergies ont été mesurées et analysées dans une géométrie coplanaire. Les résultats expérimentaux sont comparés à ceux obtenus par des calculs théoriques utilisant des modèles aussi bien du premier ordre que du second ordre. La comparaison montre que les théories incluant les mécanismes de second ordre (tel que Two Step 2, TS2) sont en meilleur accord avec l’expérience que ceux incluant uniquement les mécanismes de premier ordre (tels que Shake Off et Two Step 1). Ceci démontre que, dans nos conditions cinématiques, les mécanismes de second ordre jouent un rôle important, voire même dominant par rapport aux mécanismes de premier ordre. Par ailleurs, l’ensemble de nos résultats de double ionisation sont compares aux prédictions d’un modèle ‘TS2-cinématique’ développé par Lahmam-Bennani et al (2010), et qui consiste à considérer le processus de double ionisation comme deux événements successifs de simple ionisation (e,2e). La plupart des structures observées dans les distributions angulaires des électrons éjectés ont pu être interprétées et expliquées par ce modèle ‘TS2-cinématique’. Nous avons également étendu ce modèle en tenant compte de la contribution de la diffusion de recul dans chacune des étapes (e,2e). Certaines structures qui étaient restées inexpliquées par « l’ancien » modèle le sont maintenant par le modèle ‘TS2-cinématique’ étendu. L’influence de la structure atomique versus moléculaire de la cible dans le processus de double ionisation a fait l’objet d’une étude préliminaire. Les résultats (e, 3-1e) des cibles iso électroniques Ne et CH₄ montrent certaines différences pour les mêmes conditions cinématiques. L’analyse plus approfondie de ces données est en cours. / In this work, different double ionization (DI) mechanisms of various atomic and molecular targets by electron impact at different intermediate incident energies have been studied by so-called (e, 3-1e) and (e, 3e) experiments. Four and five fold differential cross sections in angle and in energy have been measured and analyzed in a coplanar geometry. The experimental measurements are compared with both first order and second order theoretical model calculations. The results shows that the theories including second order mechanism (such as Two Step 2, TS2) are generally in better agreement with the experimental data than these only including first order mechanisms (such as Shake Off and Two Step 1). This demonstrates that under present kinematics, second order mechanism plays an important role or even dominates over first order mechanisms. Besides, all DI results are compared with the predictions of TS2 kinematical analysis developed by Lahmam-Bennani et al (2010). Most of the structures shown in the measured angular distribution can be correctly explained by the TS2 kinematical analysis predictions. Besides, we extend this model by including the recoil contribution in each step. Some structures which cannot be explained by the previous model are well explained by the extended TS2 kinematical model. The isoelectronic target structure influence in DI is investigated preliminarily. The (e, 3-1e) results on Ne and CH₄ indicate the differences under same kinematics. The data analysis is underway.

Le travail présenté dans cette thèse se place dans le contexte de la simulation de dommages biologiques. D'abord une étude macroscopique met en question la pertinence des plans de traitement basés sur la dose absorbée et le passage à une étude de micro-dosimétrie permet l'utilisation de paramètres biologiques plus pertinents, tels que les cassures de brins d'ADN. La validité des sections efficaces d'interaction sur lesquelles se basent ces simulations est discutée en plus de détails. Suite à la complexité du milieu biologique, les sections efficaces d'interaction avec l'eau sont souvent utilisées. Nous développons un algorithme qui permet de fournir les sections efficaces d'ionisation pour n'importe quelle cible moléculaire, en utilisant des outils qui permettent de surmonter les difficultés de calcul, ce qui rend notre programme particulièrement intéressant pour les molécules complexes. Nous fournissons des résultats pour l'eau, l'ammoniac, l'acide formique et le tétrahydrofurane. / The work presented in this thesis can be placed in the context of biological damage simulation. Webegin with a macroscopic study where we question the relevance of absorbed-dose-based treatmentplanning. Then we move on to a micro-dosimetry study where we suggest the use of morebiologically relevant probes for damage, such as DNA strand breaks. More focus is given to thefundamental considerations on which the simulations are based, particularly the interaction crosssections. Due to the complexity of the biological medium, the interaction cross sections with waterare often used to simulate the behavior of particles. We develop a parallel user-friendly algorithmthat can provide the ionization cross sections for any molecular target, making use of particular toolsthat allow to overcome the computational difficulties, which makes our program particularlyinteresting for complex molecules. We provide preliminary results for water, ammonia, formic acidand Tetrahydrofuran.