Real-Time Evolution of the Valence Electronic Structure in a Dissociating Molecule

Journal Article · Fri Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.103.013001· OSTI ID:21347021

Wernet, Ph; Godehusen, K; Gaudin, J; Schwarzkopf, O; Eberhardt, W ^[1]; Odelius, M ^[2]

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1. Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 15, D-12489 Berlin (Germany)
2. FYSIKUM, Stockholm University, AlbaNova, S-106 91 Stockholm (Sweden)

Time-resolved valence band photoelectron spectroscopy with a temporal resolution of 135 fs is used to map the entire occupied valence electronic structure of photoexcited gas-phase Br{sub 2} molecules during dissociation. The observed shifting and mixing of valence energy levels defines a transition period where the system appears to be intermediate between atoms and molecules. The surprisingly short bond breaking or dissociation time is determined by monitoring in real time how the photoelectron multiplet structure of the free atom arises from the valence states of the photoexcited molecule.

• OSTI ID: 21347021
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 103, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.013001; (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
BROMINE
DISSOCIATION
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ENERGY LEVELS
EVOLUTION
MAPS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
TIME RESOLUTION
VALENCE
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
HALOGENS
NONMETALS
RESOLUTION
SPECTROSCOPY
TIMING PROPERTIES