Cover Image

Ultrafast vibrational relaxation dynamics in XUV-excited polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules

Unraveling ultrafast molecular processes initiated by energetic radiation provides direct information on the chemical evolution under extreme conditions. A prominent example is interstellar media where complex molecules such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are excited by energetic photons...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Boyer, Alexie (Author) , Hervé, M. (Author) , Despré, Victor (Author) , Castellanos Nash, P. (Author) , Loriot, V. (Author) , Marciniak, A. (Author) , Tielens, A. G. G. M. (Author) , Kuleff, Alexander I. (Author) , Lépine, F. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 18 October 2021
In: Physical review. X, Expanding access
Year: 2021, Volume: 11, Issue: 4, Pages: 1-9
ISSN:2160-3308
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevX.11.041012
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.11.041012
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevX.11.041012
Get full text
Author Notes:A. Boyer, M. Hervé, V. Despré, P. Castellanos Nash, V. Loriot, A. Marciniak, A.G.G.M. Tielens, A.I. Kuleff, and F. Lépine
Description
Summary:Unraveling ultrafast molecular processes initiated by energetic radiation provides direct information on the chemical evolution under extreme conditions. A prominent example is interstellar media where complex molecules such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are excited by energetic photons. Until recently, ultrafast dynamics following such excitations remained largely unexplored due to the lack of relevant technologies. Here, we use time-resolved mass spectrometry combining ultrashort femtosecond XUV and IR pulses, to investigate the dynamics induced by high-energy photon excitation in PAHs. We demonstrate that excited cations relax through a progressive loss of vibrational selectivity, created at the early-stage dynamics, and which represents the first steps of a complete intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution. This process is in competition with the recently revealed correlation-band dynamics. These results might have direct consequences for the development of XUV molecular physics and other fields such as astrochemistry.
Item Description:Gesehen am 24.12.2021
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2160-3308
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevX.11.041012

Similar Items