What process is described when parent ions are bombarded to form daughter ions in mass spectrometry?

The process described when parent ions are bombarded to form daughter ions in mass spectrometry is known as Collision-induced dissociation. This technique involves the collision of parent ions with neutral gas molecules, resulting in the fragmentation of the ions into smaller pieces, or daughter ions. This fragmentation allows for a more detailed analysis of the structural composition of the molecules being studied, as the resulting daughter ions can provide important information regarding the original compound's structure.

In the context of mass spectrometry, understanding how different ions break apart can lead to better identification and characterization of molecular species. Collision-induced dissociation is a vital step in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), where analysis of the daughter ions generated provides insight into the molecular structure and composition of parent ions.

While the other processes mentioned play significant roles in mass spectrometry, they refer to different stages or methods of ion generation and manipulation rather than the specific act of creating daughter ions from parent ions through bombardment.