Multi-fragment vector correlation imaging. A search for hidden dynamical symmetries in many-particle molecular fragmentation processes

Abstract

State-of-the-art multi-fragment imaging techniques like the COLTRIMS reaction microscope unveil the complete momentum pattern in low-energy atomic and molecular many-particle fragmentation processes much like the bubble chamber in high-energy particle physics. The excellent momentum resolution far below 1 m e a 0 E h/ħ (1 a.u.) and the high multi-fragment detection efficiency of the COLTRIMS technique reveal the dynamic correlation of bound many-particle systems as they are fragmented into the continuum. For the fragmentation process of carbon monoxide following carbon K-shell ionization using 306 eV photons (right and left circularly polarized) hν + CO → ephoto + O+ + C+ + eK-Auger, the vector correlations between all fragments were measured in coincidence for each event. According to the common view of this process, the photoelectron and Auger electron emission probe different aspects of the time-dependent fragmentation process, i.e. the ‘time evolution’ of fragmentation. Based on measured vectors and vector combinations (e.g. vector products) of (1) the absorbed photon, (2) the emitted photoelectron and (3) ions, the Auger electron emission can be investigated with respect to the axes and planes defined by these vector combinations for each event in order to explore dynamical symmetries in multi-particle systems.