Time-Delay PhotoIonization of Core-Orbitals in the Molecular Frame

The recent development of broadband coherent extreme ultraviolet sources makes it possible to measure dynamics with attosecond resolution (1 attosecond = 10-18 s).

This time scale is associated with the electron dynamics and more particularly to the electronic correlation in various systems, from atoms and molecules to solids.

Generating and controlling processes on this time scale then gives the opportunity to develop new promising applications in chemistry and biology that can have high impact in society.TD-PICO-MF aims at studying electronic correlation through the measurement of the photoemission delay of core-orbital electrons in a laser-controlled molecular system.

For this purpose, TD-PICO-MF brings together advanced technologies from the attosecond interferometry field and laser-induced alignment field, in order to resolve both spatially and temporally the photoemission process.In particular, the research project proposes to study, as a prototype, the photoemission from the 4d core-orbitals of the iodine atom in iodine monochloride (ICl) molecules in gas phase.

The measurements will be realized during different laser controlled configurations of the molecular system e.g., during its alignment, orientation and dissociation.

The expected impact is to gain a global picture of the influence of the molecular cationic potential during a chemical reaction and to evidence the role of electronic correlation through the measurement of 3D-scattering phase maps in the molecular frame.TD-PICO-MF will utilize existing, and forge new, international collaborations between experiment, theory and academia in order to tackle this complex problematic.

The results of our work will be made globally available and presented to the general public.

The post doctoral fellow will bring to the host his expertise on laser control of molecular systems and will be trained to the attosecond science and technologies, enlarging his scientific experience and employability.