arXiv subjects

Erik Isele

Publications and source records attributed to Erik Isele.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Elucidating Norrish Type-I reactive pathways by ultrafast X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Norrish type I reactions selectively cleave carbon-carbon bonds directly adjacent to carbonyl groups. Despite their broad use in combination with aromatic carbonyls for additive manufacturing and dental UV curing applications, the nature of the photochemically active state and its population mechanism remain insufficiently understood. Detailed mechanistic insight requires mapping of the photoexcited population flow involving internal conversion and intersystem crossing. We present a time-domain study of gas phase acetophenone as a prototypical aromatic carbonyl combining soft X-ray time-resolved near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (TR-NEXAFS) spectroscopy at the oxygen K-edge with ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) simulations. Exploiting the specific sensitivity of TR-NEXAFS spectroscopy to states with $nπ^*$ character, we observe population transfer from the initially excited $^1ππ^*$ state to the $^1nπ^*$ state with a time constant of $(0.13 \pm 0.02)$ ps after an initial induction period of $(0.12 \pm 0.02)$ ps without population transfer, in quantitative agreement with the AIMS simulations. The population in the $^1nπ^*$ state subsequently decays via intersystem crossing, likely mediated by a $^3ππ^*$ state, within $(3.17 \pm 0.66)$ ps to a long-lived $^3nπ^*$ state, which is presumed to be active towards Norrish type I chemistry.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2024

Covariance Analysis of Impulsive Streaking

We present a comprehensive framework of modeling covariance in angular streaking experiments. Within the impulsive streaking regime, the displacement of electron momentum distribution (MD) provides a tight connection between the dressing-free MD and the dressed MD. Such connection establishes universal structures in the composition of streaking covariance that are common across different MDs, regardless of their exact shape. Building on this robust framework, we have developed methods for retrieving temporal information from angular streaking measurements. By providing a detailed understanding of the covariance structure in angular streaking experiments, our work enables more accurate and robust temporal measurements in a wide range of experimental scenarios.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2024

Attosecond Coherent Electron Motion in a Photoionized Aromatic Molecule

In molecular systems, the ultrafast motion of electrons initiates the process of chemical change. Tracking this electronic motion across molecules requires coupling attosecond time resolution to atomic-scale spatial sensitivity. In this work, we employ a pair of attosecond x-ray pulses from an x-ray free-electron laser to follow electron motion resulting from the sudden removal of an electron from a prototypical aromatic system, para-aminophenol. X-ray absorption enables tracking this motion with atomic-site specificity. Our measurements are compared with state-of-the-art computational modeling, reproducing the observed response across multiple timescales. Sub-femtosecond dynamics are assigned to states undergoing non-radiative decay, while few-femtosecond oscillatory motion is associated with electronic wavepacket motion in stable cation states, that will eventually couple to nuclear motion. Our work provides insight on the ultrafast charge motion preceding and initiating chemical transformations in moderately complex systems, and provides a powerful benchmark for computational models of ultrafast charge motion in matter.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2024

"Beam `a la carte": laser heater shaping for attosecond pulses in a multiplexed x-ray free-electron laser

Electron beam shaping allows the control of the temporal properties of x-ray free-electron laser pulses from femtosecond to attosecond timescales. Here we demonstrate the use of a laser heater to shape electron bunches and enable the generation of attosecond x-ray pulses. We demonstrate that this method can be applied in a selective way, shaping a targeted subset of bunches while leaving the remaining bunches unchanged. This experiment enables the delivery of shaped x-ray pulses to multiple undulator beamlines, with pulse properties tailored to specialized scientific applications.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2024

Attosecond Delays in X-ray Molecular Ionization

The photoelectric effect is not truly instantaneous, but exhibits attosecond delays that can reveal complex molecular dynamics. Sub-femtosecond duration light pulses provide the requisite tools to resolve the dynamics of photoionization. Accordingly, the past decade has produced a large volume of work on photoionization delays following single photon absorption of an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) photon. However, the measurement of time-resolved core-level photoionization remained out of reach. The required x-ray photon energies needed for core-level photoionization were not available with attosecond tabletop sources. We have now measured the x-ray photoemission delay of core-level electrons, and here report unexpectedly large delays, ranging up to 700 attoseconds in NO near the oxygen K-shell threshold. These measurements exploit attosecond soft x-ray pulses from a free-electron laser (XFEL) to scan across the entire region near the K-shell threshold. Furthermore, we find the delay spectrum is richly modulated, suggesting several contributions including transient trapping of the photoelectron due to shape resonances, collisions with the Auger-Meitner electron that is emitted in the rapid non-radiative relaxation of the molecule, and multi-electron scattering effects. The results demonstrate how x-ray attosecond experiments, supported by comprehensive theoretical modelling, can unravel the complex correlated dynamics of core-level photoionization.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Experimental Demonstration of Attosecond Pump-Probe Spectroscopy with an X-ray Free-Electron Laser

Pump-probe experiments with sub-femtosecond resolution are the key to understanding electronic dynamics in quantum systems. Here we demonstrate the generation and control of sub-femtosecond pulse pairs from a two-colour X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL). By measuring the delay between the two pulses with an angular streaking diagnostic, we characterise the group velocity of the XFEL and demonstrate control of the pulse delay down to 270 as. We demonstrate the application of this technique to a pump-probe measurement in core-excited para-aminophenol. These results demonstrate the ability to perform pump-probe experiments with sub-femtosecond resolution and atomic site specificity.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2019

Effect of Dimensionality on the Optical Absorption Properties of CsPbI$_3$ Perovskite Nanocrystals

The band-gaps of CsPbI$_3$ perovskite nanocrystals are measured by absorption spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures. Anomalous band-gap shifts are observed in CsPbI$_3$ nanocubes and nanoplatelets, which are modeled accurately by band-gap renormalization due to lattice vibrational modes. We find that decreasing dimensionality of the CsPbI$_3$ lattice in nanoplatelets greatly reduces electron-phonon coupling, and dominant out-of-plane quantum confinement results in a homogeneously broadened absorption lineshape down to cryogenic temperatures. An absorption tail forms at low-temperatures in CsPbI$_3$ nanocubes, which we attribute to shallow defect states positioned near the valence band-edge.

physics.app-ph↗