2.2 Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics

We are developing time-resolved soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy as a tool to investigate non-adiabatic processes in isolated few-body systems and in extended molecules. Using the element- and site-specificity of core shell transitions, we aim at visualizing ultrafast charge transfer processes in molecules. Dynamics at conical intersections, charge and energy transfer processes in push-pull chromophores and donor-acceptor molecules, and ligand-to-metal (et vice versa) charge transfer excited state dynamics in organometallic molecules are examples of the research directions. To this aim, we are developing sources of ultrashort soft x-ray pulse based on high-order harmonic generation. Additionally, experiments are performed at large scale facilities such as FLASH, the free electron laser in Hamburg, and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at Stanford.

People involved:

Arnaud Rouzée, Erik T. J. Nibbering, Arnab Sen, Serguei Patchkovskii, Tamas Nagy