Term: vertical ionization https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.V06610 Definition: A process whereby an electron is removed from a molecule in its ground or an excited state so rapidly that a positive ion is produced without change in the positions or momenta of the atoms. The resultant ion is often in an excited state. Related Terms: 1) excited state (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02257). Source: PAC, 1991, 63, 1541. 'Recommendations for nomenclature and symbolism for mass spectroscopy (including an appendix of terms used in vacuum technology). (Recommendations 1991)' on page 1548 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199163101541) Citation: 'vertical ionization' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.V06610 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.