The x-ray absorption spectrum of the tert-butyl radical: An experimental and computational investigation.

We report the x-ray absorption spectrum (XAS) of the tert-butyl radical, C4H9. The radical was generated pyrolytically from azo-tert-butane, and the XAS of the pure radical was obtained by subtraction of spectra recorded at different temperatures. The bands in the XAS were assigned by ab initio calculations that are in very good agreement with the experimental data. The lowest energy signal in the XAS is assigned to the C1s electron transition from the central carbon atom to the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO), while higher transitions correspond to C1s excitations from terminal carbon atoms. Furthermore, we investigated the fragmentation of the radical following resonant C1s excitation by electron-ion-coincidence spectroscopy. Several fragmentation channels were identified. The C1s excitation of the terminal carbons is associated with a stronger fragmentation tendency compared to the lowest C1s excitation of the central carbon into the SOMO. For this core excited state, we still observe an intact parent ion, C4H9+, and a comparatively higher tendency to dissociate into CH3+ + C3H6+.

Double Photoionization of Nitrosyl Chloride by Synchrotron Radiation in the 24-70 eV Photon Energy Range.

The behavior of nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) exposed to ionizing radiation was studied by direct probing valence-shell electrons in temporal coincidence with ions originating from the fragmentation process of the transient ClNO2+. Such a molecular dication was produced by double photoionization with synchrotron radiation in the 24-70 eV photon energy range. The experiment has been conducted at the Elettra Synchrotron Facility of Basovizza (Trieste, Italy) using a light beam linearly polarized with the direction of the polarization vector parallel to the ClNO molecular beam axis. ClNO molecules crossing the photon beam at right angles in the scattering region are generated by effusive expansion and randomly oriented. The threshold energy for the double ionization of ClNO (30.1 ± 0.1 eV) and six dissociation channels producing NO+/Cl+, N+/Cl+, N+/O+, O+/Cl+, ClN+/O+, NO+/Cl2+ ion pairs, with their relative abundance and threshold energies, have been measured.

Single photon double and triple ionization of allene.

Double and triple ionization of allene are investigated using electron-electron, ion-ion, electron-electron-ion and electron-electron-ion-ion (ee, ii, eei, eeii) coincidence spectroscopies at selected photon energies. The results provide supporting evidence for a previously proposed roaming mechanism in H3+ formation by double ionization. The lowest vertical double ionization energy is found to be 27.9 eV, while adiabatic double ionization is not accessed by vertical ionization at the neutral geometry. The triple ionization energy is found to be close to 50 eV in agreement with theoretical predictions. The doubly charged parent ion is stable up to about 2 eV above the threshold, after which dissociations by charge separation and by double charge retention occur with comparable intensities. Fragmentation to H+ + C3H3+ starts immediately above the threshold as a slow (metastable) decay with 130.5 ± 9.9 ns mean lifetime.

Anharmonic Aspects in Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectra from 900 to 9000 cm-1 for Methyloxirane and Methylthiirane.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra and the corresponding IR spectra of the chiral isomers of methyloxirane and of methylthiirane have been reinvestigated, both experimentally and theoretically, with particular attention to accounting for anharmonic corrections, as calculated by the GVPT2 approach. De novo recorded VCD spectra in the near IR (NIR) range regarding CH-stretching overtone transitions, together with the corresponding NIR absorption spectra, were also considered and accounted for, both with the GVPT2 and with the local mode approaches. Comparison of the two methods has permitted us to better describe the nature of active "anharmonic" modes in the two molecules and the role of mechanical and electrical anharmonicity in determining the intensities of VCD and IR/NIR data. Finally, two nonstandard IR/NIR regions have been investigated: the first one about ≈2000 cm-1, involving mostly two-quanta bending mode transitions, the second one between 7000 and 7500 cm-1 involving three-quanta transitions containing CH-stretching overtones and HCC/HCH bending modes.

Electronic state influence on selective bond breaking of core-excited nitrosyl chloride (ClNO).

The potential for selective bond breaking of a small molecule was investigated with electron spectroscopy and electron-ion coincidence experiments on ClNO. The electron spectra were measured upon direct valence photoionization and resonant core excitation at the N 1s- and O 1s-edges, followed by the emission of resonant-Auger (RA) electrons. The RA spectra were analyzed with particular emphasis on the assignment of the participator and spectator states. The states are of special relevance for investigating how distinct electronic configurations influence selective bond breaking. The electron-ion coincidence measurements provided branching fractions of the produced ion fragments as a function of electron binding energy. They explicitly demonstrate how the final electronic states created after photoionization and RA decay influence fragmentation. In particular, we observed a significantly different branching fraction for spectator states compared with participator states. In addition, it was also observed that the bonds broken for the spectator states correlate with the antibonding nature of the spectator-electron orbital.

High-gain harmonic generation with temporally overlapping seed pulses and application to ultrafast spectroscopy.

Collinear double-pulse seeding of the High-Gain Harmonic Generation (HGHG) process in a free-electron laser (FEL) is a promising approach to facilitate various coherent nonlinear spectroscopy schemes in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectral range. However, in collinear arrangements using a single nonlinear medium, temporally overlapping seed pulses may introduce nonlinear mixing signals that compromise the experiment at short time delays. Here, we investigate these effects in detail by extending the analysis described in a recent publication (Wituschek et al., Nat. Commun., 11, 883, 2020). High-order fringe-resolved autocorrelation and wave packet interferometry experiments at photon energies > 23 eV are performed, accompanied by numerical simulations. It turns out that both the autocorrelation and the wave-packet interferometry data are very sensitive to saturation effects and can thus be used to characterize saturation in the HGHG process. Our results further imply that time-resolved spectroscopy experiments are feasible even for time delays smaller than the seed pulse duration.

Photoionization Dynamics of the Tetraoxo Complexes OsO4 and RuO4.

The photoionization dynamics of OsO4 and RuO4, chosen as model systems of small-size mononuclear heavy-metal complexes, has been theoretically studied by the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Accurate experimental measurements of photoionization dynamics as a benchmarking test for the theory are reported for the photoelectron asymmetry parameters of outer valence ionizations of OsO4, measured in the 17-90 eV photon energy range. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The observed dynamical behavior of partial cross sections and asymmetry parameters has been related to both the coupling to the continuum of discrete excited states, giving strong modulations in the photon energy dependency, and the atomic composition of the initial ionized states, which determines the rate of decay of ionization probability for increasing excitation energies. Overall, an extensive analysis of the photoionization dynamics for valence and core orbitals is presented, showing good agreement with all the available experimental data. This provides confidence for the validity of the TDDFT approach in describing photoionization of heavy transition element compounds, with the perspective of being used for larger systems. Further experimental work is suggested for RuO4 to gather evidence of the sensitivity of the theoretical method to the nature of the metal atom.

Time-resolved formation of excited atomic and molecular states in XUV-induced nanoplasmas in ammonia clusters.

High intensity XUV radiation from a free-electron laser (FEL) was used to create a nanoplasma inside ammonia clusters with the intent of studying the resulting electron-ion interactions and their interplay with plasma evolution. In a plasma-like state, electrons with kinetic energy lower than the local collective Coulomb potential of the positive ionic core are trapped in the cluster and take part in secondary processes (e.g. electron-impact excitation/ionization and electron-ion recombination) which lead to subsequent excited and neutral molecular fragmentation. Using a time-delayed UV laser, the dynamics of the excited atomic and molecular states are probed from -0.1 ps to 18 ps. We identify three different phases of molecular fragmentation that are clearly distinguished by the effect of the probe laser on the ionic and electronic yield. We propose a simple model to rationalize our data and further identify two separate channels leading to the formation of excited hydrogen.

Investigating core-excited states of nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) and their break-up dynamics following Auger decay.

The fragmentation of ClNO upon resonant core-electron excitation to the LUMO and LUMO+1 orbitals at the N and O K-edges is investigated. The produced fragment ions were detected in coincidence with a position sensitive ion time-of-flight detector which enables deduction of the angular distribution of the ions. This facilitates a comparison between the two resonances and the two K-edges with respect to fragmentation time, transition dipole moment orientation, fragment yield of single-ion and ion-pair channels, and fragmentation mechanisms. We observe significant correlations between the core-excited site and the location of the bonds that are broken, as well as the dissociation time. Moreover, we observe preferential cleavage of specific bonds upon excitation to the LUMO and LUMO+1 states which can be attributed to their orbital character.

Double photoionization of propylene oxide: A coincidence study of the ejection of a pair of valence-shell electrons.

Propylene oxide, a favorite target of experimental and theoretical studies of circular dichroism, was recently discovered in interstellar space, further amplifying the attention to its role in the current debate on protobiological homochirality. In the present work, a photoelectron-photoion-photoion coincidence technique, using an ion-imaging detector and tunable synchrotron radiation in the 18.0-37.0 eV energy range, permits us (i) to observe six double ionization fragmentation channels, their relative yields being accounted for about two-thirds by the couple (C2H4+, CH2O+) and one-fifth by (C2H3+, CH3O+); (ii) to measure thresholds for their openings as a function of photon energy; and (iii) to unravel a pronounced bimodality for a kinetic-energy-released distribution, fingerprint of competitive non-adiabatic mechanisms.

Single Photon Thermal Ionization of C_{60}.

We report on experiments which show that C_{60} can ionize in an indirect, quasithermal boiloff process after absorption of a single photon. The process involves a large number of incoherently excited valence electrons and yields electron spectra with a Boltzmann distribution with temperatures exceeding 10^{4} K. It is expected to be present for other molecules and clusters with a comparatively large number of valence electrons. The astrophysical consequences are briefly discussed.

Experimental and theoretical XPS and NEXAFS studies of N-methylacetamide and N-methyltrifluoroacetamide.

Experimental Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine-Structure (NEXAFS) spectra of N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (FNMA), which is a peptide model system, measured at the C, N, O and F K-edges are reported. The features in the spectra have been assigned by Static-Exchange (STEX) calculations. Using the same method, we have also assigned previously measured NEXAFS spectra of another peptide model system, N-methylacetamide (NMA). To facilitate the NEXAFS feature assignments, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements for NMA and FNMA have been carried out with the aim of obtaining the 1s electron ionization potentials, which are compared with the values predicted by our Hartree-Fock (ΔHF) and Multi Configuration Self Consistent Field (ΔMCSCF) calculations. We also demonstrate an approach to compensate for screening effects that are neglected in the STEX method. Ion yield measurements of FNMA associated with the excitation of several C, N, O, and F K-shell pre-edge resonances have revealed site-specific fragmentation in some cases which we interpret with the aid of our theoretical calculations.

A Study of H2O2 with Threshold Photoelectron Spectroscopy (TPES) and Electronic Structure Calculations: Redetermination of the First Adiabatic Ionization Energy (AIE).

In this work, hydrogen peroxide has been studied with threshold photoelectron (TPE) spectroscopy and photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy. The TPE spectrum has been recorded in the 10.0-21.0 eV ionization energy region, and the PE spectrum has been recorded at 21.22 eV photon energy. Five bands have been observed which have been assigned on the basis of UCCSD(T)-F12/VQZ-F12 and IP-EOM CCSD calculations. Vibrational structure has only been resolved in the TPE spectrum of the first band, associated with the X̃(2)Bg H2O2(+) ← X̃(1)A H2O2 ionization, on its low energy side. This structure is assigned with the help of harmonic Franck-Condon factor calculations that use the UCCSD(T)-F12a/VQZ-F12 computed adiabatic ionization energy (AIE), and UCCSD(T)-F12a/VQZ-F12 computed equilibrium geometric parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies for the H2O2 X̃(1)A state and the H2O2(+) X̃(2)Bg state. These calculations show that the main vibrational structure on the leading edge of the first TPE band is in the O-O stretching mode (ω3) and the HOOH deformation mode (ω4), and comparison of the simulated spectrum to the experimental spectrum gives the first AIE of H2O2 as (10.685 ± 0.005) eV and ω4 = (850 ± 30) and ω3 = (1340 ± 30) cm(-1) in the X̃(2)Bg state of H2O2(+). Contributions from ionization of vibrationally excited levels in the torsion mode have been identified in the TPE spectrum of the first band and the need for a vibrationally resolved TPE spectrum from vibrationally cooled molecules, as well as higher level Franck-Condon factors than performed in this work, is emphasized.

NEXAFS spectroscopy and site-specific fragmentation of N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and N,N-dimethylacetamide.

Near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectra measured at the C, N, and O K-edges for three molecules containing the amide moiety, N-methylformamide (HCONHCH3), N,N-dimethylformamide (HCON(CH3)2), and N,N-dimethylacetamide (CH3CON(CH3)2) are presented. These molecules have similar structures and differ by the number of methyl groups located at the molecular ends. The fragmentation of these molecules after resonant excitation at different K-edge resonances is also investigated, using a 3D-ion imaging time-of-flight spectrometer. A comparison between the molecules with respect to the relative contributions of the fragments created upon excitation at distinct resonances reveals site-specific fragmentation. Further information about the character of the core-excitation and dissociation process is obtained from the angular distributions of the ion fragments.

The Low Density Matter (LDM) beamline at FERMI: optical layout and first commissioning.

The Low Density Matter (LDM) beamline has been built as part of the FERMI free-electron laser (FEL) facility to serve the atomic, molecular and cluster physics community. After the commissioning phase, it received the first external users at the end of 2012. The design and characterization of the LDM photon transport system is described, detailing the optical components of the beamline.

Electronic structure and conformational flexibility of D-cycloserine.

The first comprehensive investigation of the effect of conformational flexibility of gaseous D-cycloserine on the valence and core electronic structures is reported here. The seven most stable conformers among the twelve structures calculated at the MP2/6-311++G** level of theory were assumed to properly describe the properties of the investigated compound. Taking into account the contribution of these isomers, the valence photoelectron spectrum (UPS) was simulated by the Outer Valence Green' s Function (OVGF) method. A different sensitivity towards the conformational flexibility of the outermost photoelectron bands was exhibited in the simulated spectrum. The comparison of the theoretical UPS with the experimental one allowed a detailed assignment of the outermost valence spectral region. The composition and bonding properties of the relevant MOs of the most stable conformers were analyzed in terms of leading Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) contributions to the HF/6-311++G** canonical MOs. The C1s, N1s, and O1s photoelectron spectra (XPS) were theoretically simulated by calculating the vertical Ionization Energies (IEs) of the relevant conformers using the ΔSCF approach. The different IE chemical shift spread of the XPS components associated with various conformers, which is expected to affect the experimental spectra, could be evaluated by simulated XPS, thus providing a new insight into the core electronic structure. The comparison of the theoretical results with the experimental ones unraveled that the atomic XPS components are not mixed by conformational flexibility of D-cycloserine, and that the specific vibronic structure of different spectral components should play a crucial role in determining different relative intensities and band shapes observed in the experiment.

NEXAFS and XPS studies of nitrosyl chloride.

The electronic structure of nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) has been investigated in the gas phase by X-ray Photoelectron (XPS) and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy at the Cl 2p, Cl 2s, N 1s and O 1s edges in a combined experimental and theoretical study. The theoretical calculations at different levels of approximation predict ionization potential values in good agreement with the experimental data and allow us to assign the main features of the absorption spectra. An unexpected failure of the density functional model is, however, observed in the calculation of the Cl 2s binding energy, which is related to a large self-interaction error. Largely different photoabsorption cross-section patterns are experimentally observed in core excitations from the investigated quantum shells (n = 1, 2). This finding is confirmed by the oscillator strength distributions calculated at different absorption edges; in the case of the n = 2 shell the bands below the threshold are extremely weak and most of the absorption intensity is due to excitations in the continuum.

Complete dissociation branching fractions and Coulomb explosion dynamics of SO2 induced by excitation of O 1s pre-edge resonances.

Fragmentation processes of SO2 following excitation of the six main O 1s pre-edge resonances, as well as above the ionization threshold and below the resonances, are studied using a position-sensitive time-of-flight ion imaging detector, and the associated dissociation branching ratios and break-up dynamics are determined. In order to distinguish between the O(+) and S(2+) fragments of equal mass-to-charge ratio, the measurements have been performed with the isotopically enriched S(18)O2 sample. By analysis of the complete set of the fragment momentum vectors, the ß values for the fragments originating from the SO(+) + O(+) break-up and the kinetic energy release for fragmentation channels of both SO2 (2+) and SO2 (3+) parent ions are determined. We also present results on the three-body break-up dynamics.

High resolution NEXAFS of perylene and PTCDI: a surface science approach to molecular orbital analysis.

We made use of synchrotron radiation to perform near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, NEXAFS, at the carbon K-edge of perylene and perylene-tetracarboxylic-diimide, PTCDI. Reference spectra measured for isolated molecules in the gas phase are compared with polarization dependent NEXAFS spectra measured on highly oriented thin films in order to study the symmetry of the molecular orbitals. The molecular overlayers are grown onto the rutile TiO2(110) surface for which the large anisotropic corrugation effectively drives the molecular orientation, while its dielectric nature prevents the rehybridization of the molecular orbitals. We employed density functional theory, DFT, calculations to disentangle the contribution of specific carbon atoms to the molecular density of states. Numerical simulations correctly predict the observed NEXAFS azimuthal dichroism of the σ* resonances above the ionization threshold, from which we determine the full geometric orientation of the overlayer molecules. A discrepancy observed for the spectral contribution of the imide carbon atom to the calculated unoccupied molecular orbitals has been explained in terms of initial state effects, as determined by Hartree-Fock corrections and in full agreement with the corresponding shift of the C 1s core level measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS.