One possible pathway to the formation of the complex organic molecules observed in astronomical data [1] involves the chemistry engendered by ionizing radiation fields (e.g., cosmic rays, X-rays and UV) in the icy mantles that surround the small, micron-sized dust grains that exist in the interstellar medium (ISM) [1]. Since electrons with energies < 100 eV, often termed �low energy electrons� (LEE), are among the most numerous secondary species generated by the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter [3], it is likely that processes initiated by LEE contribute significantly to the production (and destruction) of molecular species in the icy mantles. The interactions of LEE with molecular targets similar to those encountered in astrochemical ices, can be studied by irradiating moecular solid films of nanometer thickness with energy selected beams of electrons and by then monitoring electron-induced phenomena with techniques such as Low Energy Electron Transmission Spectroscopy (LEET), High Resolution Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry, particularly by the Electron Stimulated Desorption (ESD) of charged and neutral fragment species [4, 5]. As in the gas-phase, electron-molecule interactions at energies  ~10 eV, molecular synthesis via LEE induced ionization, has also been reported. [8] while the prompt desorption of surprisingly massive cationic species from molecular solids has been observed in ESD measurements [9]. Here, using examples drawn from almost 30 years of study in the Sherbrooke laboratory, we review the LEE-molecule scattering phenomena that may be expected to be encountered in radiation-processed ices of astrochemical interest.[1] The Cologne Database for Molecular Spectroscopy, HTTP:// http://www.astro.uni-koeln.de/cdms/molecules[2] A.G.G.M. Tielens, Rev. Mod. Phys., 85 , 1021 (2013).[3] S.M. Pimblott, and J.A. LaVerne, Radiat. Phys. Chem., 76 1244 (2007).[4] A.D. Bass and L. Sanche, Low Temp. Phys., 29, 202 (2003).[5] A.D. Bass and L. Sanche, Radiat. Phys. Chem., 68, 3 (2003).[6] M. Rajappan, L. L. Zhu, A.D. Bass, L. Sanche, and C.R. Arumainayagam, J. Phys. Chem. C, 112 , 17319 (2008).[7] A.D. Bass, J.H. Bredehoft, E. Bohler, L. Sanche, and P. Swiderek, Eur. Phys. J. D 66 , 53 (2012).[8] T. Hamann, E. B�hler, P. Swiderek, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 48 , 4643 (2009)[9] M.A. Huels, L. Parenteau, A.D. Bass and L. Sanche, Int.J.Mass Spectrom., 277  , 256 (2008)

Low energy electron induced chemistry in simple molecular solids

248th National Meeting (2014)

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