CHICROCSX · Core-Hole Induced Chemical Reactivity of Complex Systems by Soft X-Ray Spectrosocopies

Core-hole-induced chemical reactivity of complex systems by soft X-Ray spectroscopies

The present project concerns a new research direction which is the study of the core-hole-induced chemical reactivity of complex systems. It is based on the use of the most advanced instrumentation available nowadays for soft X-ray spectroscopy: the ultra-high resolution soft X-ray beamline PLEIADES at one of the most recent synchrotron radiation facilities in Europe - Synchrotron SOLEIL, together with state-of-the-art electron and electron-ion coincidence spectrometers. The host group offers a highly dynamic scientific environment based on a long-term outstanding experience with inner-shell spectroscopies of diluted species. The success of the project was ensured by the association with this environment and the excellence and the strong background in chemistry of the researcher. The main research objectives of the proposal include studies of photo-induced chemical reactivity, conformational changes and chemical reactions of complex molecular species through Auger electron-ion coincidence spectroscopy and high-resolution electron spectroscopy performed under Auger resonant Raman (ARR) conditions (ARR - experimental conditions when photoexcitation bandwidth is narrower than the natural lifetime broadening of the resonant inner-shell excited states, which allows one to obtain resonant Auger spectra with a resolution below the lifetime broadening). The main scientific result of the current project is a discovery of a new dissociation mechanism, elaborated from the analysis of the ultrafast nuclear dynamics in highly excited molecules produced by resonant X-ray absorption. This work was initiated, piloted and performed by the researcher. It involved a number of experiments (both high-resolution electron spectroscopy and energy-selected Auger electron-ion coincidence spectroscopy measurements) and theoretical modelling. This work benefited from participation in international conferences, covered by Marie Curie grant, where the results were discussed with the leading researchers - physicists and chemists - in the field of synchrotron radiation as well as laser research. Opinions and advice from experts in different fields was important for this work as it investigates a fundamental chemical process using advanced physical methods, thus combining chemistry with advanced physics. Another research objective was related to the startup of the ultra-high resolution beamline PLEIADES with the best achievable resolution in the soft X-ray region. During this period the state-of-the-art technical characteristics of the beamline has proven to allow looking deeper into molecular structures and studying of phenomena in greater details which were hidden so far due to insufficient photon flux and / or instrumental resolution. The results of this work, presented at different international workshops and conferences, not only demonstrate the strength of the resonant Auger spectroscopy as a powerful investigation tool but also show the importance of the fundamental atomic and molecular physics research using synchrotron radiation. The new opportunities provided at the starting beamline PLEIADES allowed the researcher to develop her own research line including dynamics and reactivity of systems of biological and environmental interest. The proposed project allowed the researcher to develop her scientific personality, acquire new competences and pursue her own research ideas.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз