Abstract
Absolute cross sections for electron impact ionization and dissociation of N-3(+) ions have been measured in a crossed-beams apparatus. In this experiment, three product ions were collected separately: N-3(2+), N+ and N-2(+). The single ionization process (formation of N-3(2+)) shows a threshold around 22 eV with a maximum cross section of (1.61 +/- 0.01) x 10(-17) cm(2) at 120 eV. The two dissociative reactions leading to N+ and N-2(+) fragments are also analyzed in detail.