Generation of ultra-short hydrogen atom pulses by bunch-compression photolysis
2014 | journal article. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.
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Generation of ultra-short hydrogen atom pulses by bunch-compression photolysis
Kaufmann, S.; Schwarzer, D.; Reichardt, C.; Wodtke, A. M. & Buenermann, O. (2014)
Nature Communications, 5 art. 5373. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6373
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- Authors
- Kaufmann, Sven; Schwarzer, Dirk; Reichardt, Christian; Wodtke, Alec Michael; Buenermann, Oliver
- Abstract
- Ultra-short light pulses enable many time-resolved studies in chemistry, especially when used in pump-probe experiments. However, most chemical events are not initiated by light, but rather by collisions. Time-resolved collisional experiments require ultra-short pulses of atoms and molecules-sadly, methods for producing such pulses are so far unknown. Here we introduce bunch-compression photolysis, an approach to forming ultra-short and highly intense pulses of neutral atoms. We demonstrate H-atom pulses of 1.2 +/- 0.3 ns duration, far shorter than any previously reported. Owing to its extraordinarily simple physical principles, we can accurately model the method-the model shows H-atom pulses as short as 110-ps are achievable. Importantly, due to the bunch-compression, large (mm(3)) photolysis volumes are possible, a key advantage for pulse intensity. This technique overcomes the most challenging barrier to a new class of experiments on time-resolved collisions involving atoms and molecules.
- Issue Date
- 2014
- Status
- published
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- ISSN
- 2041-1723