Raimund Feifel

Double-core-hole spectroscopy for chemical analysis with an intense X-ray femtosecond laser

Theory predicts that double-core-hole (DCH) spectroscopy can provide a new powerful means of differentiating between similar chemical systems with a sensitivity not hitherto possible. Although DCH ionization on a single site in molecules was recently measured with double- and single-photon absorption, double-core holes with single vacancies on two different sites, allowing unambiguous chemical analysis, have remained elusive. Here we report that direct observation of double-core holes with single vacancies on two different sites produced via sequential two-photon absorption, using short, intense X-ray pulses from the Linac Coherent Light Source free-electron laser and compare it with theoretical modeling. The observation of DCH states, which exhibit a unique signature, and agreement with theory proves the feasibility of the method. Our findings exploit the ultrashort pulse duration of the free-electron laser to eject two core electrons on a time scale comparable to that of Auger decay and demonstrate possible future X-ray control of physical inner-shell processes.

Experimental Verification of the Chemical Sensitivity of Two-Site Double Core-Hole States Formed by an X-Ray Free-Electron Laser

We have performed x-ray two-photon photoelectron spectroscopy using the Linac Coherent Light Source x-ray free-electron laser in order to study double core-hole (DCH) states of CO2, N2O, and N2. The experiment verifies the theory behind the chemical sensitivity of two-site DCH states by comparing a set of small molecules with respect to the energy shift of the two-site DCH state and by extracting the relevant parameters from this shift.

Femtosecond dissociation dynamics of core-excited molecular water

Abstract The fragmentation of the water molecule upon resonant core excitation and subsequent Auger decay has been studied by electron–ion coincidence spectroscopy. A qualitative comparison between the fragmentation patterns for H 2 O and D 2 O reveals that the anti-bonding nature of the core-excited (*) intermediate state causes appreciable dissociation of the H 2 O* (D 2 O*) into HO*+H (DO*+D) during the lifetime (3.3 fs) of the O1s core hole. A `core–hole clock model is used to derive approximate quantitative values for the characteristic dissociation time of the core-excited water molecule. The results demonstrate how such a procedure is useful for quantitative experiments with a very high degree of spatial and temporal localization.

Valence double ionization of O2 at photon energies below and above the molecular double ionization threshold

A recently developed time-of-flight photoelectron-photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy technique, which gives complete two-dimensional e(-)-e(-) spectra in single photon double ionization, is applied to molecular oxygen at photon energies below and above the adiabatic double ionization threshold of O(2). Analysis of the two-dimensional coincidence maps reveals specific indirect pathways for the double ionization process. Dissociative ionization paths with subsequent autoionization of atomic oxygen are found to be the dominant processes for all chosen photon energies. Spectra of the photoelectrons coincident with the autoionization electrons show that intermediate O(2)(+) states are involved which do not autoionize to molecular O(2)(2+). In particular, the ground state of O(2)(2+) is vibrationally resolved and shows a regular progression which can be well described by direct Franck-Condon transitions at an internuclear distance R(e)(X (1)Sigma(g)(+))=1.054 A. Quantum yields of double ionization for O(2), of a form discussed in this paper, are determined.

Complete valence double photoionization of SF6.

Single photon double ionization of SF(6) has been investigated at the photon energies 38.71, 40.814, and 48.372 eV by using a recently developed time-of-flight photoelectron-photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy technique which gives complete two-dimensional e(-)-e(-) spectra. The first complete single photon double ionization electron spectrum of SF(6) up to a binding energy of approximately 48 eV is presented and accurately interpreted with the aid of Greens function ADC(2) calculations. Spectra which reflect either mainly direct or mainly indirect (via interatomic coulombic decay of F 2s holes) double ionization of SF(6) are extracted from the coincidence map and discussed. A previous, very low value for the onset of double ionization of SF(6) is found to energetically coincide with a peak structure related to secondary inelastic scattering events.

Using covariance mapping to investigate the dynamics of multi-photon ionization processes of Ne atoms exposed to X-FEL pulses

We report on a detailed investigation into the electron emission processes of Ne atoms exposed to intense femtosecond x-ray pulses, provided by the Linac Coherent Light Source Free Electron Laser (FEL) at Stanford. The covariance mapping technique is applied to analyse the data, and the capability of this approach to disentangle both linear and nonlinear correlation features which may be hidden on coincidence maps of the same data set is demonstrated. Different correction techniques which enable improvements on the quality of the spectral features extracted from the covariance maps are explored. Finally, a method for deriving characteristics of the x-ray FEL pulses based on covariance mapping in combination with model simulations is presented.

Triple ionization spectra by coincidence measurements of double Auger decay: The case of OCS

By combining multiple electron coincidence detection with ionization by synchrotron radiation, we have obtained resolved spectra of the OCS(3+) ion created through the double Auger effect. The form of the spectra depends critically on the identity of the atom bearing the initial hole. High and intermediate level electron structure calculations lead to an assignment of the resolved spectrum from ionization via the S 2p hole. From the analysis it appears that the double Auger effect from closed shell molecules favors formation of doublet states over quartet states. Molecular field effects in the double Auger effect are similar to those in the single Auger effect in linear molecules.

Covariance mapping of two-photon double core hole states in C2H2 and C2H6 produced by an x-ray free electron laser

Few-photon ionization and relaxation processes in acetylene (C2H2) and ethane (C2H6) were investigated at the linac coherent light source x-ray free electron laser (FEL) at SLAC, Stanford using a highly efficient multi-particle correlation spectroscopy technique based on a magnetic bottle. The analysis method of covariance mapping has been applied and enhanced, allowing us to identify electron pairs associated with double core hole (DCH) production and competing multiple ionization processes including Auger decay sequences. The experimental technique and the analysis procedure are discussed in the light of earlier investigations of DCH studies carried out at the same FEL and at third generation synchrotron radiation sources. In particular, we demonstrate the capability of the covariance mapping technique to disentangle the formation of molecular DCH states which is barely feasible with conventional electron spectroscopy methods.

1,4-Disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene: a molecular building block that allows for remarkably strong neutral cyclic cross-hyperconjugation

2,3,5,6-Tetraethyl-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes with either four chloro (1a), methyl (1b), or trimethylsilyl (TMS) (1c) substituents at the two silicon atoms were examined in an effort to design rigid compounds with strong neutral cross-hyperconjugation between π- and σ-bonded molecular segments arranged into a cycle. Remarkable variations in the lowest electronic excitation energies, lowest ionization energies, and the first oxidation potentials were observed upon change of substituents, as determined by gas phase ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and cyclic voltammetry. A particularly strong neutral cyclic cross-hyperconjugation was observed in 1c. Its lowest electron binding energy (7.1 eV) is distinctly different from that of 1b (8.5 eV). Molecular orbital analysis reveals a stronger interaction between filled π(CC) and π(SiR2) group orbitals in 1c than in 1a and 1b. The energy shift in the highest occupied molecular orbital is also reflected in the first oxidation potentials as observed in the cyclic voltammograms of the respective compounds (1.47, 0.88, and 0.46 V for 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively). Furthermore, 1,4-disilacyclohexadiene 1c absorbs strongly at 273 nm (4.55 eV), whereas 1a and 1b have no symmetry allowed excitations above 215 nm (below 5.77 eV). Thus, suitably substituted 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes could represent novel building blocks for the design of larger cross-hyperconjugated molecules as alternatives to traditional purely cross-π-conjugated analogues, and could allow for design of molecules with properties that are not accessible to those that are exclusively π-conjugated.

Triple ionization of CO2 by valence and inner shell photoionization

Spectra of triply ionized CO(2) have been obtained from photoionization of the molecule using soft x-ray synchrotron light and an efficient multi-electron coincidence technique. Although all states of the CO(2) (+++) trication are unstable, the ionization energy for formation of molecular ions at a geometry similar to that of the neutral molecule is determined as 74 ± 0.5 eV.