Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 September 2002
This paper reports the first results obtained on thephotodissociation of the isolated PAH cations 12C24H+12,13C12C23H+12 and 12C24H+10, usingthe astrochemistry experimental set-up PIRENEA.The dissociation patterns of these ions involvethe loss of pairs of hydrogen atoms. A first interpretation indicates that the-H2 dissociation path is favoured compared to the -H path in ourexperimental conditions. These results might have important implicationson the formation of H2 in the interstellar medium.