Total, direct and dissociative electron impact ionization cross sections of the acetylene molecule

The total electron impact ionization cross sections of the acetylene molecule have been measured in the incident electron energy range from threshold to 1000 eV. These results are compared with other existing data, obtained by direct measurements of this molecular property or by indirect ones, via the partial ionization cross sections for the formation of different ions. Using three semiempirical equations, the total ionization cross sections were calculated and compared to available data, too. Direct and dissociative ionization cross sections were also calculated by a semiempirical equation and compared to existing data.