Investigating charge-up and fragmentation dynamics of oxygen molecules after interaction with strong X-ray free-electron laser pulses†
a
J.
Rist,
a
R.
Boll,
d
S.
Eckart,
a
B.
Erk,
e
S.
Grundmann,
a
P.
Grychtol,
d
N.
Melzer,
a
G.
Nalin,
a
D.
Rolles,
g
Ph.
Schmidt,
cd
Th.
Weber,
h
K.
Yamazaki,
j
F.
Trinter,
ek
Ph. V.
Demekhin
c
and
T.
Jahnke
*d
Abstract
During the last decade, X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have enabled the study of light–matter interaction under extreme conditions. Atoms which are subject to XFEL radiation are charged by a complex interplay of (several subsequent) photoionization events and electronic decay processes within a few femtoseconds. The interaction with molecules is even more intriguing, since intricate nuclear dynamics occur as the molecules start to dissociate during the charge-up process. Here, we demonstrate that by analyzing photoelectron angular emission distributions and kinetic energy release of charge states of ionic molecular fragments, we can obtain a detailed understanding of the charge-up and fragmentation dynamics. Our novel approach allows for gathering such information without the need of complex ab initio modeling. As an example, we provide a detailed view on the processes happening on a femtosecond time scale in oxygen molecules exposed to intense XFEL pulses.
- This article is part of the themed collections: Ions, electrons, coincidences and dynamics: Festschrift for John H.D. Eland and 2022 PCCP HOT Articles
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