Freiburg 2024 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 4: Coulomb-explosion Imaging (joint session MO/A)

A 4.1: Invited Talk

Monday, March 11, 2024, 11:00–11:30, HS 3044

Imaging ultrafast molecular dissociation dynamics; from conventional to surprising paths — •Heide Ibrahim — Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) @ Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS-EMT), Varennes, QC, Canada

Coulomb explosion imaging (CEI) is a powerful tool to track a broad variety of molecular dynamics; even if they occur in a non-concerted manner and require single-molecule detection sensitivity. Upon photo-excitation of a molecule it will break apart. We can see fragments following direct, conventional dissociation paths, as well as fragments deviating from this minimum energy path. The latter are called roaming fragments and explore the potential energy landscape in a statistical manner. At the user facility ALLS we use CEI in combination with high repetition rate laser systems. Dissociating and roaming fragments in formaldehyde are directly captured using CEI, a hard-to-grasp statistically occurring signal. Individual pathways are distinguished based on state-of-the-art theory analysis.

Keywords: Ultrafast molecular dynamics; Roaming; Coulomb explosion imaging; Formaldehyde; Single molecule detection