Ionic fragmentation following core-level photoionization of Sn(CH₃)₄ by soft X-rays

Ionic fragmentation following the photoionization of Sn(CH₃)₄ (TMT) has been studied in the photon energy range of 60-600 eV using synchrotron radiation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Each of the Sn: 4d, 4p, 3d and C: 1s photoionization leads to a type of ionic fragmentation that is characteristic of each ionized core. The Sn: 4d photoionization above 60 eV predominantly produces the doubly-charged TMT which dissociates into two singly-charged ions and some neutral fragments. The ions produced in this pathway are CH₃⁺, C₂H₃⁺, C₂H₅⁺, SnCH_m⁺ and/or Sn⁺. The Sn: 4p photoionization produces the triply-charged TMT and enhances the production of H⁺, CH_m'⁺ (m' = 0-3) and Sn⁺ significantly. The Sn: 3d photoionization produces multiply-charged TMT whose charges are 3-5 and enhances the production of H⁺, CH_m'⁺ (m' = 0-2) and Sn⁺ significantly. The C: 1s photoionization produces doubly-charged TMT via the KVV Auger transition and enhances the production of CH₃⁺, C₂H₃⁺, SnCH_m⁺ and/or Sn⁺.