Abstract
We present an investigation of structural dynamics
in excited-state cations probed in real-time by femtosecond timeresolved ion photofragmentation spectroscopy. From photoelectron spectroscopy data on 1,3-dibromopropane we conclude that the pump pulse ionizes the molecule, populating an excited electronic state of the radical cation. In this state a coherent torsional vibration of the bromomethylene groups with a period
of 700 fs is started and probed by photoinduced fragmentation of the molecular cation. The vibrational coherence dephases with the decay of the excited state to the ground state of the cation in 1.6 ps.
The real-time probing of the excited-state dynamics is made possible by exploiting the interaction between the two bromine chromophores and its dependence on molecular conformation. This experiment therefore illustrates the applicability of the concept of probing ultrafast molecular dynamics using the intramolecular interaction between two chromophores.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry Part A: Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment and General Theory |
Volume | 115 |
Pages (from-to) | 12120-12125 |
ISSN | 1089-5639 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |