Advances in photoionization and photoelectron studies using third generation synchrotron radiation

Abstract

Abstract In the past few years, we have established a unique high-resolution photoionization–photoelectron facility at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline of the Advanced Light Source. By combining a 6.65-m off-plane Eagle mounted scanning monochromator with the undulator synchrotron radiation source, we have demonstrated photon energy resolving powers up to E /Δ E =72,000–100,000 in the photon energy range of 6–27 eV. We have also developed novel synchrotron-based pulsed field ionization photoelectron (PFI-PE) detection schemes, achieving resolutions of 1–6 cm −1 (FWHM). Using the specially designed photoelectron–photoion apparatus, which features a supersonic molecular beam source and opposing electron and ion time-of-flight spectrometers, we have recently succeeded in performing synchrotron-based PFI-PE photoion coincidence experiments, attaining resolutions limited only by the PFI-PE measurements. Most recently, we have demonstrated a generally applicable synchrotron-based scheme for PFI-photoion measurements. The PFI-PEPICO and PFI-PI methods are expected to have a significant impact in future reaction dynamics studies involving the preparation of rovibronically state-selected reactant ions.