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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
09:49
An Experimental Protocol for Femtosecond NIR/UV - XUV Pump-Probe Experiments with Free-Electron Lasers
Published on: October 23, 2018
16.1K
Multiple-core-hole resonance spectroscopy with ultraintense X-ray pulses
Aljoscha Rörig1,2, Sang-Kil Son3, Tommaso Mazza1
1European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany.
Nature Communications
|September 15, 2023
Summary
This study reveals how intense X-ray pulses create exotic, multiple-core-hole states in xenon atoms. Understanding these transient electronic structures is key for advanced spectroscopy and probing matter dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Atomic Physics
- X-ray Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Understanding intense femtosecond X-ray pulse interactions with heavy atoms is vital for materials science.
- Nonlinear light-matter interactions at free-electron lasers (FELs) remain underexplored regarding photon energy dependence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the photon energy dependence of nonlinear light-matter interactions.
- To map transient electronic structures during xenon atom charge-up pathways using resonant ion spectroscopy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resonant ion spectroscopy to analyze xenon atoms exposed to intense, femtosecond X-ray pulses.
- Employed free-electron lasers (FELs) to control X-ray pulse parameters and photon energies.
- Analyzed ion yields and developed methods to disentangle X-ray pulse parameters.
Main Results:
- Observed massively hollow xenon atoms with up to six simultaneous core holes.
- Identified specific photon energies and charge states associated with these multiple core-hole configurations.
- Demonstrated the ability to partially disentangle X-ray pulse parameters like photon energy and fluence.
Conclusions:
- Established a foundational method for spectroscopic investigation of transient atomic species in exotic, multiple-core-hole states.
- Opened new avenues for exploring uncharted territories in atomic physics and X-ray science.
- Enabled future studies on the structure and dynamics of matter under extreme conditions.
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