Time resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of chemical dynamics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
The PhD project involves the experimental development and implementation of a state of the art XUV photoelectron spectroscopy experiment within our own laser lab and at international X-ray free electron laser facilities. The experiments aim to uncover some of the most fundamental aspects of photochemistry that underlie light initiated processes in chemistry and biology. The development of these sources will remove the limited observation window of most spectroscopy techniques and will allow us to uncover the full reaction pathway for the first time.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Russell Minns (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Emily Warne (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509747/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1839943 | Studentship | EP/N509747/1 | 01/01/2017 | 31/12/2019 | Emily Warne |
| Description | Our most significant achievements centre on the development of XUV photoelectron spectroscopy capabilities leading to the first UK demonstration of the measurement of a complete reaction pathway in carbon disulphide. Subsequent measurements of the wavelength dependent dynamics in methyl iodide have also resulted in previously unseen dynamics that have been missed in previous experiments. The results highlight the importance of measuring full reaction pathways and the extra information available and vital for a full understanding of what controls photochemical reactivity. The technique is still in its early stages of development but with advances in laser technology, particularly high repetition rate laser systems, there is a clear development pathway but one that requires investment. |
| Exploitation Route | All experiments have been performed on conventional lab based laser systems with X-ray free electron laser experiments unfortunately not awarded beamtime. Significantly many experiments have involved extensive development work at the Artemis central laser facility meaning the work can directly benefit the wider chemical dynamics community. The methodology development is therefore available to the UK laser community through open call for access to Artemis. Specific results related to the chemical systems have also been picked up by international groups and have led to new collaborations based around relativistic electron diffraction measurements and X-ray free electron laser based coulomb explosion imaging measurements. The methodology developments and scientific results are therefore being taken forward by the international and national chemical dynamics community as we build our understanding towards larger chemical systems. |
| Sectors | Chemicals |
| URL | https://www.clf.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Mapping-the-complete-reaction-.aspx |
| Description | Frequency Upconversion using Hollow Core Fibre Sources for Ultrafast Chemistry and Microscopy |
| Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 07/2020 |
| Title | CS2 data |
| Description | DOI: 10.5258/SOTON/D0455 Data associated with paper DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.183003 |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Paper DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.183003 |
| Title | Methyl Iodide MPI data |
| Description | Data doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/D1273 associated with paper DOI:10.1039/c9cp01477b (Photodissociation dynamics of CH3I probed via multiphoton ionisation photoelectron spectroscopy) |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Paper: "Photodissociation dynamics of CH3I probed via multiphoton ionisation photoelectron spectroscopy" |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/D1273 |
| Description | Adam Kirrander - Edinburgh |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Experimental data: time-resolved photoelectron spectra |
| Collaborator Contribution | Computational results: potential energy surfaces and wavepacket trajectories |
| Impact | DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.183003 |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Artemis Central Laser Facility |
| Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Department | Central Laser Facility |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Artemis central laser facility houses the UK femtosecond XUV laser facility for scientific applications. We have worked with the Artemis team to develop gas phase photo electron spectroscopy capabilities and molecular frame measurements. This has involved input into the design and development of the facility and hands on optimisation and commissioning of new experimental processes. We are also starting to work on the use of hollow core fiber sources for UV pulse generation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Artemis team manage and maintain the facility and provide input into feasibility and design of experiments as well as experimental support during beamtime and commissioning phases. |
| Impact | to do |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Poster: Development of time-resolved XUV photoelectron capabilities in Southampton and at Artemis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I presented a poster about "Development of time-resolved XUV photoelectron capabilities in Southampton and at Artemis" at a number of conferences, to an audience of other researchers in the field. The conferences were: Artemis User Meeting, September 2017; Spectroscopy and Dynamics Group conference, January 2018; PALM International School - Attosecond Science: From Ultrafast Sources to Applications, May 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | Poster: Using UV and XUV Time Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy to Probe the Dissociation Dynamics of Methyl Iodide |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I presented a poster on "Using UV and XUV Time Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy to Probe the Dissociation Dynamics of Methyl Iodide" at the 2019 International Symposium of Molecular Beams. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk: Mapping the Dissociation Dynamics of Methyl Iodide |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk on "Mapping the Dissociation Dynamics of Methyl Iodide" at the 2019 Spectroscopy and Dynamics Group conference, to an audience of researchers in the field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |