Fragmentation of thymidine and deoxyadenosine induced by slow multiply charged ions

We have studied the fragmentation of thymidine and deoxyadenosine induced by slow multiply charged ions. The measured mass spectra specify as an important reaction channel the separation of the molecules into their basic and osidic parts, combined with some structural modifications. In particular for higher projectile charges singly and doubly charged small-size fragments (m < 100) are produced, but also the formation of large molecules (modified dimers or trimers) occurs in the sputtering process. The sputtering yield increases with the charge state, the grazing angle as well as the kinetic energy of the projectile. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.