Femtosecond time-resolved zero kinetic energy photoelectron and photoionization spectroscopy studies of I2 wavepacket dynamics

Real-time dynamics of vibronic wavepackets within Rydberg and ion-pair states of molecular iodine

Real-time dynamics of vibrationally and electronically excited I2 molecules has been investigated experimentally using the pump-probe technique. A 2-photon excitation was performed either at 269 nm or 266 nm. An electronic and vibrational wavepacket was built as coherent superposition of a few (269 nm excitation) or many (266 nm excitation) Rydberg states of the and series partly coupled with ion-pair states. The probe operated by ionisation or photodetachement. The energy and angular distribution of the resulting photoelectrons, I+ photocations and I- photoanions were monitored. During the dynamics that is turned on by the pump excitation, the wavepacket splits and explores a variety of electronic states of Rydberg and ion-pair character. The experimental results were complemented by molecular dynamics calculations. This provided invaluable information to identify wavepacket motion along ion-pair potential energy curves.

A quantum molecular movie: polyad predissociation dynamics in the VUV excited 3pσ2Σu state of NO2

The optical formation of coherent superposition states, a wavepacket, can allow the study of zeroth-order states, the evolution of which exhibit structural and electronic changes as a function of time: this leads to the notion of a molecular movie. Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution, due to anharmonic coupling between modes, is the molecular movie considered here. There is no guarantee, however, that the formed superposition will behave semi-classically (e.g. Gaussian wavepacket dynamics) or even as an intuitively useful zeroth-order state. Here we present time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) studies of an electronically excited triatomic molecule wherein the vibrational dynamics must be treated quantum mechanically and the simple picture of population flow between coupled normal modes fails. Specifically, we report on vibronic wavepacket dynamics in the zeroth-order 3pσ2Σu Rydberg state of NO2. This wavepacket exemplifies two general features of excited state dynamics in polyatomic molecules: anharmonic multimodal vibrational coupling (forming polyads); nonadiabatic coupling between nuclear and electronic coordinates, leading to predissociation. The latter suggests that the polyad vibrational states in the zeroth-order 3p Rydberg manifold are quasi-bound and best understood to be scattering resonances. We observed a rapid dephasing of an initially prepared 'bright' valence state into the relatively long-lived 3p Rydberg state whose multimodal vibrational dynamics and decay we monitor as a function of time. Our quantum simulations, based on an effective spectroscopic Hamiltonian, describe the essential features of the multimodal Fermi resonance-driven vibrational dynamics in the 3p state. We also present evidence of polyad-specificity in the state-dependent predissociation rates, leading to free atomic and molecular fragments. We emphasize that a quantum molecular movie is required to visualize wavepacket dynamics in the 3pσ2Σu Rydberg state of NO2.

Evolution of a Molecular Shape Resonance along a Stretching Chemical Bond

We report experiments on laser-assisted electron recollisions that result from strong-field ionization of photoexcited I_{2} molecules in the regime of low-energy electron scattering (<25  eV impact energy). By comparing differential scattering cross sections extracted from the angle-resolved photoelectron spectra to differential scattering cross sections from quantum-scattering calculations, we demonstrate that the electron-scattering dynamics is dominated by a shape resonance. When the molecular bond stretches during the evolution of a vibrational wave packet this shape resonance shifts to lower energies, both in experiment and theory. We explain this behavior by the nature of the resonance wave function, which closely resembles an antibonding molecular orbital of I_{2}.

Femtosecond solvation dynamics of indium dimers inside superfluid helium nanodroplets

Indium dimers (In2) solvated inside helium nanodroplets are studied with femtosecond photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy. The solvation dynamics triggered by photoexcitation of the In2 include expansion of the solvation shell and dopant ejection from the droplet, which both proceed more slowly than for In atoms. Oscillation of the solvation shell, in contrast, is similar to the case of In atoms. These processes are observed in combination with intrinsic dynamics of the molecule and set the time-frame for the dopant interaction with the quantum fluid environment.

Ultrafast nuclear dynamics of the acetylene cation C2H2+ and its impact on the infrared probe pulse induced C–H bond breaking efficiency

We track the few-femtosecond excited-state dynamics of the acetylene cation through modulations of the C₂H⁺ photofragment yield.

Time-resolved nuclear dynamics in bound and dissociating acetylene

We have investigated nuclear dynamics in bound and dissociating acetylene molecular ions in a time-resolved reaction microscopy experiment with a pair of few-cycle pulses. Vibrating bound acetylene cations or dissociating dications are produced by the first pulse. The second pulse probes the nuclear dynamics by ionization to higher charge states and Coulomb explosion of the molecule. For the bound cations, we observed vibrations in acetylene (HCCH) and its isomer vinylidene (CCHH) along the CC-bond with a periodicity of around 26 fs. For dissociating dication molecules, a clear indication of enhanced ionization is found to occur along the CH- and CC-bonds after 10 fs to 40 fs. The time-dependent ionization processes are simulated using semi-classical on-the-fly dynamics revealing the underling mechanisms.

Single-order laser high harmonics in XUV for ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy of molecular wavepacket dynamics

We present applications of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) single-order laser harmonics to gas-phase ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy. Ultrashort XUV pulses at 80 nm are obtained as the 5th order harmonics of the fundamental laser at 400 nm by using Xe or Kr as the nonlinear medium and separated from other harmonic orders by using an indium foil. The single-order laser harmonics is applied for real-time probing of vibrational wavepacket dynamics of I₂ molecules in the bound and dissociating low-lying electronic states and electronic-vibrational wavepacket dynamics of highly excited Rydberg N₂ molecules.

Towards Understanding Photodegradation Pathways in Lignins: The Role of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in Excited States

The photoinduced dynamics of the lignin building blocks syringol, guaiacol, and phenol were studied using time-resolved ion yield spectroscopy and velocity map ion imaging. Following irradiation of syringol and guaiacol with a broad-band femtosecond ultraviolet laser pulse, a coherent superposition of out-of-plane OH torsion and/or OMe torsion/flapping motions is created in the first excited (1)ππ* (S1) state, resulting in a vibrational wavepacket, which is probed by virtue of a dramatic nonplanar → planar geometry change upon photoionization from S1 to the ground state of the cation (D0). Any similar quantum beat pattern is absent in phenol. In syringol, the nonplanar geometry in S1 is pronounced enough to reduce the degree of intramolecular H bonding (between OH and OMe groups), enabling H atom elimination from the OH group. For guaiacol, H bonding is preserved after excitation, despite the nonplanar geometry in S1, and prevents O-H bond fission. This behavior affects the propensities for forming undesired phenoxyl radical sites in these three lignin chromophores and provides important insight into their relative "photostabilities" within the larger biopolymer.

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy: from wavepackets to observables

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) is a powerful tool for the study of intramolecular dynamics, particularly excited state non-adiabatic dynamics in polyatomic molecules. Depending on the problem at hand, different levels of TRPES measurements can be performed: time-resolved photoelectron yield; time- and energy-resolved photoelectron yield; time-, energy-, and angle-resolved photoelectron yield. In this pedagogical overview, a conceptual framework for time-resolved photoionization measurements is presented, together with discussion of relevant theory for the different aspects of TRPES. Simple models are used to illustrate the theory, and key concepts are further amplified by experimental examples. These examples are chosen to show the application of TRPES to the investigation of a range of problems in the excited state dynamics of molecules: from the simplest vibrational wavepacket on a single potential energy surface; to disentangling intrinsically coupled electronic and nuclear motions; to identifying the electronic character of the intermediate states involved in non-adiabatic dynamics by angle-resolved measurements in the molecular frame, the most complete measurement.

Real-time visualization of the dynamic evolution of CS2 4d and 6s Rydberg wave packet components

The dynamic evolution of CS2 4d and 6s Rydberg wave packet components has been experimentally visualized via femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging coupled with time-resolved mass spectroscopy. The temporal evolution of the four components of the prepared Rydberg wave packet is directly observed as time-dependent changes of the intensities of different parts in the main photoelectron peak. Furthermore, time-resolved photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) clearly reflect the different component characters of 4d and 6s molecular orbitals. The lifetime of Rydberg wave packets is determined to be about 830fs and their decay is attributed to predissociation. Our results suggest the possibility of directly visualizing and determining the amplitudes and relative phases of different electronic and vibrational wave packet components in polyatomic molecules.

Wave packet interferometry with attosecond precision and picometric structure

Wave packet (WP) interferometry is applied to the vibrational WPs of the iodine molecule. Interference fringes of quantum waves weave highly regular space-time images called "quantum carpets." The structure of the carpet has picometre and femtosecond resolutions, and changes drastically depending on the amplitudes and phases of the vibrational eigenstates composing the WP. In this review, we focus on the situation where quantum carpets are created by two counter-propagating nuclear vibrational WPs. Such WPs can be prepared with either a single or double femtosecond (fs) laser pulse. In the single pulse scheme, the relevant situation appears around the half revival time. Similar situations can be generated with a pair of fs laser pulses whose relative phase is stabilized on the attosecond time scale. In the latter case we can design the quantum carpet by controlling the timing between the phase-locked pulses. We demonstrate this carpet design and visualize the designed carpets by the fs pump-probe measurements, tuning the probe wavelength to resolve the WP density-distribution along the internuclear axis with ~3 pm spatial resolution and ~100 fs temporal resolution.

Visualizing Picometric Quantum Ripples of Ultrafast Wave-Packet Interference

Interference fringes in vibrating molecules are a signature of quantum mechanics, but are often so short-lived and closely spaced that they elude visualization. We have experimentally visualized dynamical quantum interferences, which appear and disappear in less than 100 femtoseconds in the iodine molecule synchronously with the periodic crossing of two counterpropagating nuclear wave packets. The obtained images have picometer and femtosecond spatiotemporal resolution, representing a detailed picture of the quantum interference.

Time-resolved intraband electronic relaxation dynamics of Hgn− clusters (n=7–13,15,18) excited at 1.0 eV

Time-resolved photoelectron imaging has been used to study the relaxation dynamics of small Hg(n) (-) clusters (n=7-13,15,18) following intraband electronic excitation at 1250 nm (1.0 eV). This study furthers our previous investigation of single electron, intraband relaxation dynamics in Hg(n) (-) clusters at 790 nm by exploring the dynamics of smaller clusters (n=7-10), as well as those of larger clusters (n=11-13,15,18) at a lower excitation energy. We measure relaxation time scales of 2-9 ps, two to three times faster than seen previously after 790 nm excitation of Hg(n) (-), n=11-18. These results, along with size-dependent trends in the absorption cross-section and photoelectron angular distribution anisotropy, suggest significant evolution of the cluster anion electronic structure in the size range studied here. Furthermore, the smallest clusters studied here exhibit 35-45 cm(-1) oscillations in pump-probe signal at earliest temporal delays that are interpreted as early coherent nuclear motion on the excited potential energy surfaces of these clusters. Evidence for evaporation of one or two Hg atoms is seen on a time scale of tens of picoseconds.

SEMICLASSICAL DESCRIPTION OF MOLECULAR DYNAMICS BASED ON INITIAL-VALUE REPRESENTATION METHODS

Recent progress in the development of semiclassical methods to describe quantum effects in molecular dynamics is reviewed. Focusing on rigorous semiclassical methods that are based on the initial-value representation of the semiclassical propagator, we discuss several promising schemes that have been developed in the past few years to extend the applicability of semiclassical approaches to complex molecular systems. In particular, integral-filtering techniques and forward-backward methods are surveyed. Furthermore, recently proposed approaches that allow the semiclassical description of nonadiabatic molecular dynamics are discussed. The potential and efficiency of these methods is illustrated by selected applications.

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of polyatomic molecules

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy is emerging as a useful technique for investigating excited state dynamics in isolated polyatomic molecules. The sensitivity of photoelectron spectroscopy to both electronic configurations and vibrational dynamics makes it well suited to the study of ultrafast nonadiabatic processes. We review the conceptual interpretation of wavepacket dynamics experiments, emphasizing the role of the final state. We discuss the advantages of the molecular ionization continuum as the final state in polyatomic wavepacket experiments and show how the electronic structure of the continuum can be used to disentangle electronic from vibrational dynamics. We illustrate these methods with examples from diatomic wavepacket dynamics, internal conversion in polyenes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, excited state intramolecular proton transfer, and azobenzene photoiosomerization dynamics.

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of molecules and clusters

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) has become a powerful new tool in studying the dynamics of molecules and clusters. It has been applied to processes ranging from energy flow in electronically excited states of molecules to electron solvation dynamics in clusters. This review covers experimental and theoretical aspects of TRPES, focusing on studies of neutral and negatively charged species.

Nonadiabatic Multielectron Dynamics in Strong Field Molecular Ionization

We report the observation of a general strong field ionization mechanism due to highly nonadiabatic multielectron excitation dynamics in polyatomic molecules. We observe that such excitation mechanisms greatly affect molecular ionization, fragmentation, and energetics. We characterized this phenomenon as a function of optical frequency, intensity, and molecular properties.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Femtosecond Pump-Probe Experiments on I2 in Ar Environments

We present the application of classical molecular dynamics methods to the simulation of femtosecond time-resolved experiments. Choosing I