LMI Seminar: Ionization / neutralization induced Dynamics

Abstract:

Ionization and neutralization events can trigger intricate structural rearrangement dynamics in isolated molecular and cluster systems, thus, driving chemical evolution even under low temperature conditions. I will describe our experimental efforts of using 3D coincidence imaging for probing and visualizing molecular dynamics. I will show both ionization-induced dynamics that are initiated by ultrafast EUV pulses,[1,2] as well dynamics that are initiated by the mutual neutralization of molecular anions and cations in merged-beams experiments.[3,4] Furthermore, I will discuss our efforts to achieve direct comparison of experimental and theoretical studies towards a better understanding of time-evolving small quantum systems.

References: 

[1] E. Livshits et al., Nat. Commun. 15, 6322 (2024)

[2] S. Barik et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 34, 7768 (2026)

[3] A. Bogot et al., Science. 383, 285 (2024)

[4] A. Bogot et al., Nat. Chem. 17, 541–546 (2025