Scientific Achievement
Two dynamics are observed at the Carbon K-edge by impulsively ionizing methane molecules:
- Geometry distortion occurs within 10 fs.
- Loss of vibrational coherence after the distortion.
Significance and Impact
The study shows how molecules react to light, which can ultimately be used to control chemical reactions. The results provide a complete picture of how the energy is redistributed and evolves over time.
Research Details
By using soft X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy and theory calculations, the dynamics described above could be assigned to a specific nuclear coordinate. Both measurements and theory have been reproduced in deuterated methane
Publication Details
Ridente, E., et al. Science 380, 713-717 (2023).
DOI: 10.1126/science.adg4421
