Direct mapping of curve-crossing dynamics in IBr by attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy

The electronic character of photoexcited molecules can abruptly change at avoided crossings and conical intersections. Here, we report direct mapping of the coupled interplay between electrons and nuclei in a prototype molecule, iodine monobromide (IBr), by using attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. A few-femtosecond visible pulse resonantly excites the [Formula: see text], Y(0⁺), and Z(0⁺) states of IBr, and the photodissociation dynamics are tracked with an attosecond extreme-ultraviolet pulse that simultaneously probes the I-4d and Br-3d core-level absorption edges. Direct comparison with quantum mechanical simulations unambiguously identifies the absorption features associated with adiabatic and diabatic channels at the B/Y avoided crossing and concurrent two-photon dissociation processes that involve the Y/Z avoided crossing. The results show clear evidence for rapid switching of valence-electronic character at the avoided crossing.