Vibrationally resolved resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering spectra of free molecules

• Published in: Journal of electron spectroscopy and related phenomena Vol. 185; no. 8-9; pp. 294 - 300
• Main Authors: Rubensson, Jan-Erik, Pietzsch, Annette, Hennies, Franz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Channels; Conservation; Dynamics; Electronics; Fysik; Inelastic scattering; Molecular physics; Natural Sciences; Naturvetenskap; Orbitals; Physical Sciences; Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering; Soft x-rays; Spectra; Spectroscopy; Symmetry; 42.50.Hz; 42.65.−k; Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering; Spectroscopy; Molecular physics; Dynamics; Symmetry
• ISSN: 0368-2048; 1873-2526; 1873-2526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elspec.2012.05.003

► Gas-phase RIXS with vibrational resolution is presented. ► Dynamics in the ultrafast electron–nuclear coupling revealed. ► Spatial quantum beats are observed. ► A selection rule for internal spin-coupling is established and an accepted selection rule for orbital symmetry is violated. The brilliance of modern synchrotron radiation sources and capabilities of new instrumentation facilitate molecular resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering with high spectral quality. Especially, energy resolution of vibrational fine structure allows for a detailed analysis, providing information about the dynamic coupling between nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom. After a brief historical account and a short qualitative comparison between the radiative and non-radiative decay channels we review the recent results for the oxygen molecule. Nuclear wavepacket dynamics in bound and unbound states is studied, and in the latter case spatial quantum beats are observed as the dissociation proceeds via two different electronic states. A new internal spin-coupling conservation rule is established, whereas a commonly accepted selection rule based on orbital symmetry is violated.