Generation of ultra-short hydrogen atom pulses by bunch-compression photolysis

Sven Kaufmann, Dirk Schwarzer, Christian Reichardt, Alec M. Wodtke () and Oliver Bünermann
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Sven Kaufmann: Institute for Physical Chemistry, Georg-August University of Göttingen
Dirk Schwarzer: Institute for Physical Chemistry, Georg-August University of Göttingen
Christian Reichardt: Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
Alec M. Wodtke: Institute for Physical Chemistry, Georg-August University of Göttingen
Oliver Bünermann: Institute for Physical Chemistry, Georg-August University of Göttingen

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-5

Abstract: 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 (mm3) 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.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6373

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