Photon-recoil imaging: Expanding the view of nonlinear x-ray physics.

Addressing the ultrafast coherent evolution of electronic wave functions has long been a goal of nonlinear x-ray physics. A first step toward this goal is the investigation of stimulated x-ray Raman scattering (SXRS) using intense pulses from an x-ray free-electron laser. Earlier SXRS experiments relied on signal amplification during pulse propagation through dense resonant media. By contrast, our method reveals the fundamental process in which photons from the primary radiation source directly interact with a single atom. We introduce an experimental protocol in which scattered neutral atoms rather than scattered photons are detected. We present SXRS measurements at the neon K edge and a quantitative theoretical analysis. The method should become a powerful tool in the exploration of nonlinear x-ray physics.

Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering Reveals Hidden Local Transitions of the Aqueous OH Radical.

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) provides remarkable opportunities to interrogate ultrafast dynamics in liquids. Here we use RIXS to study the fundamentally and practically important hydroxyl radical in liquid water, OH(aq). Impulsive ionization of pure liquid water produced a short-lived population of OH(aq), which was probed using femtosecond x-rays from an x-ray free-electron laser. We find that RIXS reveals localized electronic transitions that are masked in the ultraviolet absorption spectrum by strong charge-transfer transitions-thus providing a means to investigate the evolving electronic structure and reactivity of the hydroxyl radical in aqueous and heterogeneous environments. First-principles calculations provide interpretation of the main spectral features.

X-Ray Absorption Spectrum of the N_{2}

The x-ray absorption spectrum of N_{2}^{+} in the K-edge region has been measured by irradiation of ions stored in a cryogenic radio frequency ion trap with synchrotron radiation. We interpret the experimental results with the help of restricted active space multiconfiguration theory. Spectroscopic constants of the 1σ_{u}^{-1} ^{2}Σ_{u}^{+} state, and the two 1σ_{u}^{-1}3σ_{g}^{-1}1π_{g} ^{2}Π_{u} states are determined from the measurements. The charge of the ground state together with spin coupling involving several open shells give rise to double excitations and configuration mixing, and a complete breakdown of the orbital picture for higher lying core-excited states.

Observation of the fastest chemical processes in the radiolysis of water.

Elementary processes associated with ionization of liquid water provide a framework for understanding radiation-matter interactions in chemistry and biology. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the dynamics of the hydrated electron, its partner arising from ionization of liquid water, H2O+, remains elusive. We used tunable femtosecond soft x-ray pulses from an x-ray free electron laser to reveal the dynamics of the valence hole created by strong-field ionization and to track the primary proton transfer reaction giving rise to the formation of OH. The isolated resonance associated with the valence hole (H2O+/OH) enabled straightforward detection. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the x-ray spectra are sensitive to structural dynamics at the ionization site. We found signatures of hydrated-electron dynamics in the x-ray spectrum.

Accurate prediction of X-ray pulse properties from a free-electron laser using machine learning.

Free-electron lasers providing ultra-short high-brightness pulses of X-ray radiation have great potential for a wide impact on science, and are a critical element for unravelling the structural dynamics of matter. To fully harness this potential, we must accurately know the X-ray properties: intensity, spectrum and temporal profile. Owing to the inherent fluctuations in free-electron lasers, this mandates a full characterization of the properties for each and every pulse. While diagnostics of these properties exist, they are often invasive and many cannot operate at a high-repetition rate. Here, we present a technique for circumventing this limitation. Employing a machine learning strategy, we can accurately predict X-ray properties for every shot using only parameters that are easily recorded at high-repetition rate, by training a model on a small set of fully diagnosed pulses. This opens the door to fully realizing the promise of next-generation high-repetition rate X-ray lasers.

Rydberg-resolved resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering: dynamics at core ionization thresholds.

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra excited in the immediate vicinity of the core-level ionization thresholds of N2 have been recorded. Final states of well-resolved symmetry-selected Rydberg series converging to valence-level ionization thresholds with vibrational excitations are observed. The results are well described by a quasi-two-step model which assumes that the excited electron is unaffected by the radiative decay. This threshold dynamics simplifies the interpretation of resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra considerably and facilitates characterization of low-energy excited final states in molecular systems.

HELIOS--A laboratory based on high-order harmonic generation of extreme ultraviolet photons for time-resolved spectroscopy.

In this paper, we present the HELIOS (High Energy Laser Induced Overtone Source) laboratory, an in-house high-order harmonic generation facility which generates extreme ultraviolet (XUV) photon pulses in the range of 15-70 eV with monochromatized XUV pulse lengths below 35 fs. HELIOS is a source for time-resolved pump-probe/two-color spectroscopy in the sub-50 fs range, which can be operated at 5 kHz or 10 kHz. An optical parametric amplifier is available for pump-probe experiments with wavelengths ranging from 240 nm to 20,000 nm. The produced XUV radiation is monochromatized by a grating in the so-called off-plane mount. Together with overall design parameters, first monochromatized spectra are shown with an intensity of 2 ⋅ 10(10) photons/s (at 5 kHz) in the 29th harmonic, after the monochromator. The XUV pulse duration is measured to be <25 fs after monochromatization.

High resolution multiphoton spectroscopy by a tunable free-electron-laser light.

Seeded free electron lasers theoretically have the intensity, tunability, and resolution required for multiphoton spectroscopy of atomic and molecular species. Using the seeded free electron laser FERMI and a novel detection scheme, we have revealed the two-photon excitation spectra of dipole-forbidden doubly excited states in helium. The spectral profiles of the lowest (-1,0)(+1) (1)S(e) and (0,1)(0) (1)D(e) resonances display energy shifts in the meV range that depend on the pulse intensity. The results are explained by an effective two-level model based on calculated Rabi frequencies and decay rates.

The electronic structure of perfluorodecalin studied by soft X-ray spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations.

Fluorine and carbon K absorption and emission spectra of liquid perfluorodecalin are presented and analyzed in terms of density functional calculations-configuration interaction. A comprehensive view of the electronic structure is given, and site-specific intramolecular interactions are investigated in detail. It is found that, while the outer fluorine atoms have excess charge in the ground state, the lowest excitations must be associated with charge transfer towards the inner carbon atoms.

Interference between resonant and nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering.

A detailed study of inelastic x-ray scattering from the ground state to the 3Σg(3σ(g)(-1)3s(g)1) state of the O2 molecule is presented. The observed angular anisotropy shows that the vibrational excitations within this final state are strongly dependent on the polarization of the incident radiation. The analysis demonstrates that this is a manifestation of interference between resonant and direct nonresonant inelastic x-ray scattering. This interference provides a new tool to monitor nuclear dynamics by relative rotation of the polarization vectors of the incident and scattered photons.

Dissociative x-ray lasing.

X-ray lasing is predicted to ensue when molecules are pumped into dissociative core-excited states by a free-electron-laser pulse. The lasing is due to the population inversion created in the neutral dissociation product, and the process features self-trapping of the x-ray pulse at the gain ridge. Simulations performed for the HCl molecule pumped at the 2p(1/2)→6σ resonance demonstrate that the scheme can be used to create ultrashort coherent x-ray pulses.

Spatial quantum beats in vibrational resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at dissociating states in oxygen.

Resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra excited at the 1σ(g) → 3σ(u) resonance in gas-phase O2 show excitations due to the nuclear degrees of freedom with up to 35 well-resolved discrete vibronic states and a continuum due to the kinetic energy distribution of the separated atoms. The RIXS profile demonstrates spatial quantum beats caused by two interfering wave packets with different momenta as the atoms separate. Thomson scattering strongly affects both the spectral profile and the scattering anisotropy.

Core-valence double photoionization of the CS(2) molecule.

Double photoionization spectra of the CS(2) molecule have been recorded using the TOF-PEPECO technique in combination with synchrotron radiation at the photon energies hν=220, 230, 240, 243, and 362.7 eV. The spectra were recorded in the S 2p and C 1s inner-shell ionization regions and reflect dicationic states formed out of one inner-shell vacancy and one vacancy in the valence region. MCSCF calculations were performed to model the energies of the dicationic states. The spectra associated with a S 2p vacancy are well structured and have been interpreted in some detail by comparison to conventional S 2p and valence photoelectron spectra. The lowest inner-shell-valence dicationic state is observed at the vertical double ionization energy 188.45 eV and is associated with a (2p(3/2))(-1)(2π(g))(-1) double vacancy. The spectrum connected to the C 1s vacancy shows a distinct line at 310.8 eV, accompanied by additional broad features at higher double ionization energies. This line is associated with a (C 1s)(-1)(2π(g))(-1) double vacancy.

Spectra of the triply charged ion CS(2)(3+) and selectivity in molecular Auger effects.

Spectra of triply charged carbon disulphide have been obtained by measuring, in coincidence, all three electrons ejected in its formation by photoionization. Measurements of the CS(2)(3+) ion in coincidence with the three electrons identify the energy range where stable trications are formed. A sharp peak in this energy range is identified as the (2)Pi ground state at 53.1+/-0.1 eV, which is the lowest electronic state according to ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Triple ionization by the double Auger effect is provisionally divided, on the basis of the pattern of energy sharing between the two Auger electrons into contributions from direct and cascade Auger processes. The spectra from the direct double Auger effect via S 2p, S 2s, and C 1s hole states contain several resolved features and show selectivity based on the initial charge localization and on the identity of the initial state. Triple ionization spectra from single Auger decay of S 2p-based core-valence states CS(2)(2+) show retention of the valence holes in this Auger process. Related ion-electron coincidence measurements give the triple ionization yields and the breakdown patterns in triple photoionization at selected photon energies from 90 eV to above the inner shell edges.

Double photoionization of thiophene and bromine-substituted thiophenes.

We report the double photoionization spectra of thiophene, 3-bromothiophene, and 3,4-dibromothiophene using a coincidence spectroscopy technique based on electron time-of-flight measurements. Spectra have been recorded between the onset and 40.814 eV using He IIalpha radiation. The He I photoelectron spectrum of 3,4-dibromothiophene has also been measured. All the spectra have been analyzed and interpreted in detail on the basis of theoretical simulations from accurate Green's function calculations.

Molecular structure of alcohol-water mixtures.

We use x-ray emission spectroscopy to elucidate the molecular structure of liquid methanol, water, and methanol-water solutions. We find that molecules in the pure liquid methanol predominantly persist as hydrogen-bonded chains and rings with six and/or eight molecules of equal abundance. For water-methanol solutions we find evidence of incomplete mixing at the microscopic level. Our results provide a new explanation for a smaller entropy increase in the solution due to water molecules bridging methanol chains to form rings.

X-ray emission spectroscopy of hydrogen bonding and electronic structure of liquid water.

We use x-ray emission spectroscopy to examine the influence of the intermolecular interaction on the local electronic structure of liquid water. By comparing x-ray emission spectra of the water molecule and liquid water, we find a strong involvement of the a(1)-symmetry valence-orbital in the hydrogen bonding. The local electronic structure of water molecules, where one hydrogen bond is broken at the hydrogen site, is separately determined. Our results provide an illustration of the important potential of x-ray emission spectroscopy for elucidating basic features of liquids.