Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 1: Interaction with VUV and X-ray light (FEL) I

A 1.3: Invited Talk

Monday, March 14, 2011, 11:30–12:00, BAR 205

X-ray femtochemistry: Mapping the electronic structure of molecules during chemical reactions with x-ray spectroscopy — •Philippe Wernet — Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

We use ultrafast x-ray spectroscopy to map the electronic structure of molecules during chemical reactions in the gas phase and in solution. X-ray spectroscopy gives unique access to the electronic structure and hence allows for unprecedented insight into the transient states of atoms and molecules. Our recent results will be used to illustrate this: Femtosecond photoelectron spectroscopy with a high harmonic generation set up in the lab revealed new insight into the ultrafast dissociation of Br2 molecules in the gas phase. Femtosecond resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) at the free electron laser LCLS for the first time allowed us to track both the occupied and the unoccupied valence orbitals of a molecule during dissociation. We mapped the electronic structure of Fe(CO)5 in real time during its dissociation to Fe(CO)4 and CO in solution in a symmetry-sensitive and element-selective way and locally at the Fe atom. With this and with our research on bonding and structure of water and molecules in the gas phase and in solution a perspective on chemical dynamics with ultrashort x-ray pulses from lab- and accelerator-driven short-pulse x-ray sources will be given.