A Quantitative Test of the Statistical Limit for Multiphoton Ionization‐Fragmentation

Observed ionic fragmentation patterns are compared against the extreme statistical limit. A quantitative measure of closeness of fit is employed to assess the need for refinements in the theory and in the noise level of the experiment. It is concluded that for such molecules as benzene or toluene there is no compelling reason to go beyond the extreme statistical limit in order to account for the observed fragmentation patterns. There is some indication for meaningful deviances in MPI‐D of aliphatic compounds.