Spectroscopy
The experimental procedures for femtosecond-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy are based on pump-probe techniques using ~80 femtosecond laser pulses in the range of 200-800 nm. The pump pulse excites the population of molecules and the probe pulse monitors the temporal evolution by either photo-electron/-ion spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence, or by transient absorption. In the case of the photo-ion experiments we have built an apparatus that, apart from experiments involving the neutral molecules, will enable pump/probe experiments on gaseous ionic species – an unprecedented experiment that will shed light on the intrinsic dynamical properties of unsolvated ions. The laser system needed to run this set-up can be used to address a wide variety of problems. For example, we intend to pursue laser induced direction of internal energy into specific degrees of freedom – this will then introduce highly specific bond breaking and making (laser control), and is hence a key ingredient in 'directing' the molecular movies.
In addition to the highly resolved measurements outlined above, a wide suite of standard spectroscopy methods are an invaluable part of preparations for experiments at synchrotron beamlines around the world.
