Production of metastable O(D-1(2)) atoms following controlled electron impact on N2O and CO2 targets has been studied using a neon rare gas matrix detector operating at a temperature of <20 K. A 100 eV pulsed electron beam was used in conjunction with time-of-flight (TOF) techniques to establish O-atom fragment kinetic energies. Probable dissociation channels are discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.