  The fragmentation times corresponding to the loss of the chromophore
(C$\alpha$-- C$\beta$ bond dissociation channel) after photoexcitation at 263
nm have been investigated for several small peptides containing tryptophan or
tyrosine. For tryptophan-containing peptides, the aromatic chromophore is lost
as an ionic fragment (m/z 130), and the fragmentation time increases with the
mass of the neutral fragment. In contrast, for tyrosine-containing peptides the
aromatic chromophore is always lost as a neutral fragment (mass = 107 amu) and
the fragmentation time is found to be fast (\textless{}20 ns). These different
behaviors are explained by the role of the postfragmentation interaction in the
complex formed after the C$\alpha$--C$\beta$ bond cleavage.
