Electron energy-dependent product state distributions in the dissociative recombination of O2+

We present product state distributions and quantum yields from the dissociative recombination reaction of O₂⁺ in its electronic and vibrational ground states as a function of electron collision energy between 0 and 300meV. The experiments have been performed in the heavy-ion storage ring, CRYRING, and use a cold hollow-cathode discharge source for the production of cold molecular oxygen ions. The branching fractions over the different dissociation limits show distinct oscillations while the resulting product quantum yields are largely independent of electron collision energy above 40meV. The branching results are well reproduced assuming an isotropic dissociation process, in contrast with recent theoretical predictions.