Core-hole Creation Research Articles

Evidence for double resonant Raman decay from a Ag surface

We have investigated the electron pair emission from a Ag(100) surface upon photon absorption which leads to the emission of a 4p photoelectron. The subsequent Auger decay proceeds in a single-step process as shown previously. Key finding was the emergence of a diagonal intensity feature in a two-dimensional kinetic energy distribution of the electron pair whose width reveals a characteristic time of 30 as for the dynamics of the core-hole decay process. We utilize this observation as a tool to identify an unexpected pathway of electron pair emission. Once the photon energy is at the threshold of a double 4p core hole creation we notice a sizeable broadening of the energy sharing distribution. We associate this process to the excitation of two 4p electrons between the Fermi and vacuum level followed by radiation less double electron excitation. This feature is characterized by an energy sum of the pair which disperses linearly with the photon energy. Therefore, we regard it as a double resonant Raman decay. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Satellites in the Ti 1s core level spectra of SrTiO3 and TiO2

Satellites in core level spectra of photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) can provide crucial information on the electronic structure and chemical bonding in materials, particular in transition metal oxides. This paper explores satellites of the Ti 1$s$ and 2$p$ core level spectra of SrTiO$_3$ and TiO$_2$. Conventionally, soft x-ray PES (SXPS) probes the Ti 2$p$ core level; however, it is not ideal to fully capture satellite features due to its inherent spin-orbit-splitting (SOS). Here, hard x-ray PES(HAXPES) provides access to the Ti 1$s$ spectrum instead, which allows us to study intrinsic charge responses upon core-hole creation without the complication from SOS and with favorable intrinsic linewidths. The experimental spectra are theoretically analyzed by two impurity models, including an Anderson impurity model (AIM) built on local density approximation (LDA) and dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT), and a conventional TiO$_6$ cluster model. The theoretical results emphasize the importance of explicit inclusion of higher-order Ti-O charge-transfer processes beyond the nearest-neighboring Ti-O bond to simulate the core level spectra of SrTiO$_3$ and TiO$_2$. The AIM approach with continuous bath orbitals provided by LDA+DMFT represents the experimental spectra well. Crucially, with the aid of the LDA+DMFT method, this paper provides a robust prescription of how to use the computationally cheap cluster model in fitting analyses of core level spectra.

Femtosecond fragmentation of CS2 after sulfur 1s ionization: interplay between Auger cascade decay, charge delocalization, and nuclear motion

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the fragmentation of molecular CS2 after sulfur 1s Auger cascade decay, consisting of electron–multi-ion coincidence spectra of charged fragments and theoretical simulations combining density functional theory and molecular dynamics. On the experimental side, a procedure for a complete determination of all sets of ions formed is described. For many of the fragmentation channels, we observed a higher charge in one of the sulfur atoms than the other atoms. Based on these observations and the theoretical simulations where the time scale of the nuclear motion and decay is taken into account, we propose that KLL Auger decay after the 1s core hole creation, via 2p double hole states, results in highly charged and strongly repulsive states with one localized core hole. These localized core holes are sufficiently long-lived that some will decay after fragmentation of the molecular ion, thereby efficiently impeding charge exchange between the fragments.

Relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock calculations of photoionization, electron-impact ionization, Auger decay, and relaxed-orbital oscillations of Cu ions

Core-hole creation and decay are of tremendous importance in both theory and applications. However, different ionization approaches and decay channels, especially at L-shell, bring many challenges to accurate simulation. In order to understand the ionization state effects on the creation and decay at L-shell hole, we performed a theoretical study of photon/electron-impact L-shell ionization of differently charged copper ions and the subsequent Auger electron and fluorescence emission by using the relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock approach. It was found that photoionization has much larger cross sections than electron-impact ionization near the ionization threshold, but smaller ones at higher impact energies. The ionization cross sections for 2s-sublevels are negligibly small compared with those for 2p-sublevels for both photon and electron impact ionizations. Additionally, the ionization cross sections decrease with the ionization state for both electron- and photon- impact L-shell ionizations. Similar to radiative (fluorescence) decay, Auger kinetic energy and yield decrease with ionization state, and the energy gaps and rate ratios between major Auger transitions change with ionization state. Furthermore, Auger rates from the L-shell decay are much larger than fluorescence rates, and the Auger-to-fluoresce decay ratio slightly decreases with increase in the ionization state of Cu ion.

Multiple Photodetachment of Carbon Anions via Single and Double Core-Hole Creation.

We report on new measurements of m-fold photodetachment (m=2-5) of carbon anions via K-shell excitation and ionization. The experiments were carried out employing the photon-ion merged-beams technique at a synchrotron light source. While previous measurements were restricted to double detachment (m=2) and to just the lowest-energy K-shell resonance at about 282eV, our absolute experimental m-fold detachment cross sections at photon energies of up to 1000eV exhibit a wealth of new thresholds and resonances. We tentatively identify these features with the aid of detailed atomic-structure calculations. In particular, we find unambiguous evidence for fivefold detachment via double K-hole production.

Time-resolved electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis of photodissociation: Photoelectron spectra of Fe(CO)5, Fe(CO)4, and Fe(CO)3.

The prototypical photoinduced dissociation of Fe(CO)5 in the gas phase is used to test time-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for studying photochemical reactions. Upon one-photon excitation at 266 nm, Fe(CO)5 successively dissociates to Fe(CO)4 and Fe(CO)3 along a pathway where both fragments retain the singlet multiplicity of Fe(CO)5. The x-ray free-electron laser FLASH is used to probe the reaction intermediates Fe(CO)4 and Fe(CO)3 with time-resolved valence and core-level photoelectron spectroscopy, and experimental results are interpreted with ab initio quantum chemical calculations. Changes in the valence photoelectron spectra are shown to reflect changes in the valence-orbital interactions upon Fe-CO dissociation, thereby validating fundamental theoretical concepts in Fe-CO bonding. Chemical shifts of CO 3σ inner-valence and Fe 3p core-level binding energies are shown to correlate with changes in the coordination number of the Fe center. We interpret this with coordination-dependent charge localization and core-hole screening based on calculated changes in electron densities upon core-hole creation in the final ionic states. This extends the established capabilities of steady-state electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis to time-resolved investigations. It could also serve as a benchmark for how charge and spin density changes in molecular dissociation and excited-state dynamics are expressed in valence and core-level photoelectron spectroscopy.

Ultrafast Charge Transfer Processes Accompanying KLL Auger Decay in Aqueous KCl Solution.

X-ray photoelectron and KLL Auger spectra were measured for the K^{+} and Cl^{-} ions in aqueous KCl solution. While the XPS spectra of these ions have similar structures, both exhibiting only weak satellites near the main line, the Auger spectra differ dramatically. Contrary to the chloride case, a very strong extra peak was found in the Auger spectrum of K^{+} at the low kinetic energy side of the ^{1}D state. Using the equivalent core model and abinitio calculations this spectral feature was assigned to electron transfer processes from solvent water molecules to the solvated cation. The observed charge transfer processes are suggested to play an important role in charge redistribution following single and multiple core-hole creation in atoms and molecules placed into environment.

Ultrafast Bidirectional Charge Transport and Electron Decoherence at Molecule/Surface Interfaces: A Comparison of Gold, Graphene, and Graphene Nanoribbon Surfaces.

We investigate bidirectional femtosecond charge transfer dynamics using the core-hole clock implementation of resonant photoemission spectroscopy from 4,4'-bipyridine molecular layers on three different surfaces: Au(111), epitaxial graphene on Ni(111), and graphene nanoribbons. We show that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the molecule drops partially below the Fermi level upon core-hole creation in all systems, opening an additional decay channel for the core-hole, involving electron donation from substrate to the molecule. Furthermore, using the core-hole clock method, we find that the bidirectional charge transfer time between the substrate and the molecule is fastest on Au(111), with a 2 fs time, then around 4 fs for epitaxial graphene and slowest with graphene nanoribbon surface, taking around 10 fs. Finally, we provide evidence for fast phase decoherence of the core-excited LUMO* electron through an interaction with the substrate providing the first observation of such a fast bidirectional charge transfer across an organic/graphene interface.

Single site double core level ionisation of OCS

Single site O1s, C1s and S2p double ionisation of the OCS molecule has been investigated using a magnetic bottle multi-electron coincidence time-of-flight spectrometer. Photon energies of 1300, 750 and 520eV, respectively, were used for the ionisation, and spectra were obtained from which the double core ionisation energies could be determined. The energies measured for 1s double ionisation are 1172eV (O1s−2) and 659eV (C1s−2). For the S2p double ionisation three dicationic states are expected, 3P, 1D and 1S. The ionisation energies obtained for these states are 373eV (3P), 380eV (1D) and 388eV (1S). The ratio between the double and single core ionisation energies are in all cases equal or close to 2.20. Auger spectra of OCS, associated with the O1s−2, C1s−2 and S2p−2 dicationic states, were also recorded incorporating both electrons emitted as a result of the filling of the two core vacancies. As for other small molecules, the spectra show an atomic-like character with Auger bands located in the range 480–560eV for oxygen, 235–295eV for carbon and 100–160eV for sulphur. The interpretation of the spectra is supported by CASSCF and CASCI calculations. The cross section ratio between double and single core hole creation was estimated as 3.7×10−4 for oxygen at 1300eV, 3.7×10−4 for carbon at 750eV and as 2.2×10−3 for sulphur at 520eV.

Positron-annihilation-induced ion desorption fromTiO2(110)

We have investigated the positron-stimulated desorption of ions from a ${\text{TiO}}_{2}(110)$ surface. Desorbed O${}^{+}$ ions were detected in coincidence with the emission of annihilation $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. The energy dependence of the ion yields shows that the O${}^{+}$ ions were detected at energies much lower than the previously reported threshold for electron impact desorption corresponding to the excitation energy of Ti($3p$) core electrons. These results provide evidence that core-hole creation by positron annihilation with electrons in the core levels leads to ion desorption.

N1s and O1s double ionization of the NO and N2O molecules.

Single-site N1s and O1s double core ionisation of the NO and N2O molecules has been studied using a magnetic bottle many-electron coincidence time-of-flight spectrometer at photon energies of 1100 eV and 1300 eV. The double core hole energies obtained for NO are 904.8 eV (N1s(-2)) and 1179.4 eV (O1s(-2)). The corresponding energies obtained for N2O are 896.9 eV (terminal N1s(-2)), 906.5 eV (central N1s(-2)), and 1174.1 eV (O1s(-2)). The ratio between the double and single ionisation energies are in all cases close or equal to 2.20. Large chemical shifts are observed in some cases which suggest that reorganisation of the electrons upon the double ionization is significant. Δ-self-consistent field and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were performed for both molecules and they are in good agreement with these results. Auger spectra of N2O, associated with the decay of the terminal and central N1s(-2) as well as with the O1s(-2) dicationic states, were extracted showing the two electrons emitted as a result of filling the double core holes. The spectra, which are interpreted using CASSCF and complete active space configuration interaction calculations, show atomic-like character. The cross section ratio between double and single core hole creation was estimated as 1.6 × 10(-3) for nitrogen at 1100 eV and as 1.3 × 10(-3) for oxygen at 1300 eV.

Double Core-Hole Creation by Sequential Attosecond Photoionization

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrates that a single core-hole krypton with a 170-as lifetime can be photoionized again to a double core-hole state by an intense x-ray pulse. The observation indicates that unconventional interaction between intense x rays and atoms is no more negligible in applications with x-ray free-electron lasers. Quantitative analysis of the double core-hole creation including effects of a pulsed and spiky temporal structure enables estimation of the x-ray pulse duration in the sub-10-fs range.

Dynamic core hole screening in small-diameter conducting carbon nanotubes: A cluster density functional study

The many-electron response of a small-diameter conducting carbon nanotube, to the sudden creation of a 1s core state, is studied using density functional theory with different Gaussian basis sets and the generalized gradient approximation for exchange and correlation. Cluster computations are performed on carbon atoms located at a finite-size cylindrical network that is terminated by hydrogen atoms. Core-hole creation is simulated by replacing the 1s electron pair, localized at a central site of the structure, with effective pseudo-potentials for both neutral and ionized atomic carbon. The same approach is used to describe a neutral and core-ionized C60 fullerene molecule. The overlaps between the excited states of the ionized systems and the ground states of the neutral systems are combined in a Fermi's golden rule treatment yielding the shake-up spectra from the two clusters. The numerical response for the fullerene molecule is found in good agreement with the measured X-ray photoelectron spectrum from thick C60 films, including the low energy satellites at excitation energies below 4eV, within a peak position error of 0.3eV. The nanotube spectrum reveals features in common with X-ray photoelectron data from Bucky balls and Bucky papers.

Modeling of material properties after ultrashort laser and XUV excitation

By means of first principles calculations, we studied the possibility of manipulating structural properties of different materials via excitation with intense femtosecond laser or extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses. For silicon and boron-nitride nanotubes, we performed ab initio molecular dynamics simulations using the code CHIVES, developed in our group, to describe their laser-induced structural dynamics. For both materials, we determined the damage thresholds. We also investigated the structural response of magnesium and copper to ultrashort XUV excitation. For this purpose, we performed frozen-phonon calculations based on all-electron density functional theory and allowed the possibility of core-hole excitation. We found that Cu undergoes bond hardening and Mg bond softening upon creation of core holes and hot electrons, where we defined the bond strength by the vibrational frequencies.

Auger-free luminescence due to interatomic p–d transition and self-trapped exciton luminescence in Rb2ZnCl4 crystals

It is reported that Auger-free (AF) luminescence appears with two bands at 4.5 and 6.3eV in Rb2ZnCl4. This luminescence originates from a radiative transition of the Cl 3p valence electrons into the Zn 3d outermost-core holes. The present work is the first observation of AF luminescence due to interatomic p–d transitions in halide crystals. The appearance of two AF luminescence bands suggests the existence of two types of AF transitions following core hole creation. A largely Stokes-shifted luminescence band is also found to appear at 1.9eV. This band has an excitation threshold at the fundamental absorption edge, and is ascribed to the radiative decay of a self-trapped exciton.

Direct study of the f-electron configuration in lanthanide systems

The valence shell electron configurations within a few electron volts above the Fermi level in cerium, ytterbium, europium and samarium compounds were probed by resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) at the L3 absorption pre-edge. The rare earth systems show distinct spectral signatures depending on the f-electron configuration. The high energy resolution experimental results reported here are well reproduced by atomic multiplet calculations confirming the localized character of the 4f electrons. The magnitude of the electron–electron interactions within the 4f shell and between 3d and 4f electrons is analyzed. The present technique is a powerful tool for the study of the 4f valence electron configuration that, unlike L3 absorption spectroscopy at the main edge, is little influenced by valence electron relaxation following core hole creation.

Molecular photodissociation studied by VUV and soft x-ray radiation

A brief account of the developments in photodissociation studies of free molecules by VUV and soft x-ray sources is given as an extended introduction. Then two typical experimental setups are described for multiple-ion coincidence momentum imaging and high-resolution Auger electron–ion coincidence momentum imaging. Finally, some individual cases of molecular dissociation following core-hole creation are examined, to illustrate how the complex multidimensional data produced can be represented and interpreted. The new experimental techniques based on Coulomb explosion are shown to allow direct characterization of the initial nuclear motions which follow electronic excitation.

Experimental evidence for extreme surface sensitivity in Auger-Photoelectron Coincidence Spectroscopy (APECS) from solids

Core hole creation and subsequent Auger decay processes are studied with unprecedented discrimination by Auger-Photoelectron Coincidence Spectroscopy (APECS). Early works in this field have already pointed out the intrinsic surface sensitivity of these experiments. However, it was not until recently that a model calculation was developed to quantitatively evaluate it. Here we present the first attempt to experimentally establish an effective target thickness for such experiments. The angular distribution of 3p 3/2 photoelectron with kinetic energy of 160 eV is measured in coincidence with the M 3VV Auger electron with kinetic energy of 55 eV on a Cu (1 1 1) surface. Coincidence and non-coincidence photoelectron angular distributions display differences that, to large extent, are explained by confining the source of the coincident signal within the first two layers of Cu target, thus establishing an experimental upper limit for the effective target thickness of the APECS experiment.

Experimental evidence for extreme surface sensitivity in Auger-Photoelectron Coincidence Spectroscopy (APECS) from solids

Core hole creation and subsequent Auger decay processes are studied with unprecedented discrimination by Auger-Photoelectron Coincidence Spectroscopy (APECS). Early works in this field have already pointed out the intrinsic surface sensitivity of these experiments. However, it was not until recently that a model calculation was developed to quantitatively evaluate it. Here we present the first attempt to experimentally establish an effective target thickness for such experiments. The angular distribution of 3p3/2 photoelectron with kinetic energy of 160 eV is measured in coincidence with the M3VV Auger electron with kinetic energy of 55 eV on a Cu (1 1 1) surface. Coincidence and non-coincidence photoelectron angular distributions display differences that, to large extent, are explained by confining the source of the coincident signal within the first two layers of Cu target, thus establishing an experimental upper limit for the effective target thickness of the APECS experiment.

Time-resolved electron spectroscopy of atomic inner-shell dynamics

The extremely fast evolution of core-hole relaxation was not yet observable directly in the time-domain. A novel technique combining core-hole creation with attosecond extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pulses and electron wave-packet sampling with a pulsed laser-field provides the necessary experimental tools. As a benchmark, the exponential decay of 3d holes in atomic krypton was tracked yielding a decay constant of 8 fs.