Multiply charged clusters

We review progress made in understanding Coulomb explosion of multiply charged atomic clusters. Their collision with highly charged atomic ions leads to clusters in charge states as high as z = 10 with little vibrational excess energy; these systems approach the Rayleigh limit. Phase transitions become evident at higher excess energies. Numerous studies have been devoted to C-60(z+) like collisions with surfaces, multi-coincidence fragmentation analysis and gas-phase reactions. Stability and decay of highly charged micrometer-sized droplets and of metal di- and trianions have been monitored in ion traps. Excitation by fermosecond laser pulses allows to unravel properties of highly charged transient cluster ions. (C) 2002 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.