| DEA | dissociative electron attachment |
| SMC | Schwinger multichannel |
| IMI | imidazole |
| 4(5)NI | 4(5)-nitroimidazole |
| 2NI | 2-nitroimidazole |
| Me4NI | 1-methyl-4-nitroimidazole |
| Me5NI | 1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole |
| VAE | vertical attachment energy |
| TOF | time-of-flight |
| BR | branching ratio |
| TNI | temporary negative ion |
| MO | molecular orbital |
| DBS | dipole bound state |