Molecular structure and dynamics probed by photoionization out of Rydberg states

Rudakov, Fedor

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/97099 Copy

Description

Title

Molecular structure and dynamics probed by photoionization out of Rydberg states

Author(s)

Rudakov, Fedor

Issue Date

2017-06-22

Keyword(s)

Instrument/technique demonstration

Abstract

Probing the structure of a molecule as a chemical reaction unfolds has been a long standing goal in chemical physics. Most spectroscopic and diffraction techniques work well when the molecules are cold and thus vibrational motion is minimized. Yet, the very ability of a molecule to undergo structural changes implies that a significant amount of energy resides within the molecule. In order to probe structures of even medium sized molecules on an ultrafast time scale a technique that is sensitive to the molecular structure, yet insensitive to the vibrational motion is required._x000d_ _x000d_ In our research we demonstrated that Rydberg electrons are remarkably sensitive to the molecular structure. Photoionization of a molecule out of Rydberg states reveals a purely electronic spectrum which is largely insensitive to vibrational motion. The talk illustrates how Rydberg electrons can serve as a probe for ultrafast structural dynamics in polyatomic molecules. The talk also demonstrates that photoionization through Rydberg states can be utilized for non-intrusive detection of polyatomic combustion intermediates in flames.

Publisher

International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97099

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15278/isms.2017.RI04

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2017 Fedor Rudakov

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