Rydberg-resolved resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering: dynamics at core ionization thresholds

• Published in: Physical review letters Vol. 114; no. 13; p. 133001
• Main Authors: Rubensson, J-E, Söderström, J, Binggeli, C, Gråsjö, J, Andersson, J, Såthe, C, Hennies, F, Bisogni, V, Huang, Y, Olalde, P, Schmitt, T, Strocov, V N, Föhlisch, A, Kennedy, B, Pietzsch, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 03.04.2015
• Subjects: Elasticity; Models, Theoretical; Nitrogen - chemistry; X-Ray Diffraction - methods
• ISSN: 1079-7114
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.133001

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra excited in the immediate vicinity of the core-level ionization thresholds of N2 have been recorded. Final states of well-resolved symmetry-selected Rydberg series converging to valence-level ionization thresholds with vibrational excitations are observed. The results are well described by a quasi-two-step model which assumes that the excited electron is unaffected by the radiative decay. This threshold dynamics simplifies the interpretation of resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra considerably and facilitates characterization of low-energy excited final states in molecular systems.