Most of the matter in our solar system, and, probably, within the whole universe, exists in the form of ionized particles. On the other hand, in our natural environ ment, gaseous matter generally consists of neutral atoms and molecules. Only under certain conditions, such as within the path oflightning or in several technical devices (e. g. gas discharges, rocket engines, etc. ) will some of the atoms and molecules be ionized. It is also believed that the chemistry of the earth's troposphere predomi nantly proceeds via reactions between neutral particles. (The complex system of atmospheric chemistry will be treated in one of the forthcoming volumes to this series. ) Why, then, are ions considered so important that hundreds oflaboratories all over the world (including some of the most prestigious) are involved in research pro grams on ions, covering many different facets, from biochemistry to physics? One may obtain as many different answers as there are research groups busy in this field. There is, however, one simple, common feature which makes it attractive to work with ions: since they carry one or more net elementary charges, they can easily be gui ded, focused or separated by appropriate electric and magnetic fields, and, last but not least, they can easily be detected. Apart from these advantages, which are welcome and appreciated by the researcher, the study of molecular ions can provide insight into very fundamental aspects of the general behavior of molecules.

This reference book contains information about the structure and properties of atomic and molecular particles, as well as some of the nuclear parameters. It includes data which can be of use when studying atomic and molecular processes in the physics of gases, chemistry of gases and gas optics, in plasma physics and plasma chemistry, in physical chemistry and radiation chemistry, in geophysics, astrophysics, solid-state physics and a variety of cross-discipli nary fields of science and technology. Our aim was to collect carefully selected and estimated numerical values for a wide circle of microscopic parameters in a relatively "not thick" book. These values are of constant use in the work of practical investigators. In essence, the book represents a substantially revised and extended edi tion of our reference book published in Russian in 1980. Two main reasons made it necessary to rework the material. On the one hand, a great deal of new high-quality data has appeared in the past few years and furthermore we have enlisted many sources of information previously inaccessible to us. On the other hand, we have tried to insert extensive information on new, rapidly progressing branches of physical research, such as multiply charged ions, Rydberg atoms, van der Waals and excimer molecules, complex ions, etc. All this brings us to the very edge of studies being carried out in the field.

There are many interesting aspects of the interactions of fast ions with matter that can be explored using molecular-ion projectiles. At high velocities, these projectiles dissociate rapidly (approx. 10−17 sec) upon entering a solid. Each projectile then results in a tight cluster of fragments which continue into the solid closely correlated in space and in time. Recent high-resolution studies on the trajectories of such fragments, their energy losses, their shifts in angle and energy, their charge states, etc., have produced a wealth of new information on such phenomena as stopping power, radiation damage, and the interactions of fast ions with the plasma oscillations they induce in solids. Studies with foil and gas targets have elucidated many aspects of the differences in interactions in solids and gases. The techniques used in these experiments show promise as a tool for studying molecular-ion structures.

The workshop on "The structure of small molecules and ions" was held at the Neve-Han guest house, near Jerusalem, Israel on December 13 to 18 in mem ory of the late Professor Itzhak Plesser. Professor Plesser played a central role in the research done both at the Weizmann Institute and at Argonne National Laboratories on the "Coulomb explosion" method. His friends honored his memory by organizing a meeting in which subjects related to Plesser's interests would be discussed. Just a week be fore the conference started we were struck by another tragedy -the death of our graduate student Ms. Hana Kovner, who participated in many of the Coulomb explosion experiments at the Weizmann Institute. We would like to dedicate these proceedings to her memory as well. The goal of the workshop was to bring together chemists and physicists working on different aspects of the structural problems of small molecular en tities. The time seemed appropriate for discussing experimental and theoretical concepts, since in recent years new methods have been introduced, and a large amount of information has been accumulated on systems not studied before, like unstable molecules, ions, van der Waals molecules and clusters. The program of the workshop reflects, we believe, these new developments. The meeting was characterized by intensive discussions in which the weak nesses and strengths of new and of well established concepts were revealed. We hope that it measured up to the high standards Itzhak Plesser maintained all through his scientific life.