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Influence of nuclear dynamics on molecular attosecond photoelectron interferometry
Dominik Ertel1, David Busto1,2, Ioannis Makos1
1Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Science Advances
|August 30, 2023
Summary
Attosecond photoelectron interferometry reveals how nuclear motion influences molecular photoionization. This technique tracks ultrafast dynamics, showing nuclear evolution impacts electronic wave packet coherence within femtoseconds.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Background:
- Photoionization of molecules by extreme ultraviolet (XUV) light can initiate rapid nuclear motion in the resulting cation.
- Understanding this ultrafast nuclear dynamics is crucial for controlling molecular processes at the attosecond timescale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the sensitivity of attosecond photoelectron interferometry to nuclear dynamics in molecules.
- To investigate how nuclear motion influences the coherence of photoemitted electronic wave packets.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-color attosecond photoelectron interferometry, combining XUV and infrared (IR) fields.
- Measured photoionization spectra of methane (CH4) and deuteromethane (CD4) isotopologues.
Main Results:
- Observed modifications in the amplitude and contrast of photoelectron peak oscillations due to differing nuclear evolution between CH4 and CD4.
- Attosecond photoelectron interferometry effectively detected the influence of nuclear response on spectral features.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear dynamics significantly impact the coherence properties of electronic wave packets generated via photoionization.
- This effect can be observed on ultrafast timescales (femtoseconds) using attosecond photoelectron interferometry.
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