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At least 19 records

Isomer-dependent fragmentation dynamics of inner-shell photoionized difluoroiodobenzene

The fragmentation dynamics of 2,6- and 3,5-difluoroiodobenzene after iodine 4d inner-shell photoionization with soft X-rays are studied using coincident electron and ion momentum imaging. By analyzing the momentum correlation between iodine and fluorine cations in three-fold ion coincidence events, we can distinguish the two isomers experimentally. Classical Coulomb explosion simulations are in overall agreement with the experimentally determined fragment ion kinetic energies and momentum correlations and point toward different fragmentation mechanisms and time scales. Finally, while most three-body fragmentation channels show clear evidence for sequential fragmentation on a time scale larger than the rotational period of the fragments, the breakup into iodine and fluorine cations and a third charged co-fragment appears to occur within several hundred femtoseconds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fragmentation dynamics of CS 2 dications and trications following S 2p ionization

Here, we present the results from a detailed study of the fragmentation dynamics of CS$_2^{2+}$ and CS$_2^{3+}$, formed in intense femtosecond soft x-ray pulses above the sulfur 2p edge, primarily through single core photoionization from the S 2p site, and subsequent Auger–Meitner decay(s). By combining three-dimensional velocity map imaging with covariance analysis, we determine the relative momenta of the ions produced in each two- and three-body fragmentation channel, at significantly higher ion count rates than conventional coincidence measurements. We shed new light on the wide range of fragmentation channels observed from the CS 2 dication and trication, including channels that involve ionization-induced bond formation and fragmentations producing undetected neutral cofragments. In the latter case, a “native frames” approach is used to isolate contributions from concerted and sequential fragmentations and extract dynamical information about each step of a concerted fragmentation process. While dications often fragment sequentially, the trication is dominated by concerted fragmentation. The main trication fragmentation channel into S + + C + + S + can be well-approximated by classical Coulombic simulations of the ground-state geometry distribution, reflecting both the nature of the trication potential energy surface and the rapid multiple ionization prior to substantial structural dynamics. This study demonstrates ways in which fundamental insights into the fragmentation dynamics of polycations following x-ray ionization may be extracted, which will be beneficial to future studies that employ time-resolved x-ray Coulomb explosion imaging to study ultrafast photochemistry.

Allum, Felix [Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DE↗

The Thick Level-Set model for dynamic fragmentation

The Thick Level-Set (TLS) model is implemented to simulate brittle media undergoing dynamic fragmentation. This non-local model is discretized by the finite element method with damage represented as a continuous field over the domain. A level-set function defines the extent and severity of damage, and a length scale is introduced to limit the damage gradient. Numerical studies in one dimension demonstrate that the proposed method reproduces the rate-dependent energy dissipation and fragment length observations from analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches. In conclusion, additional studies emphasize the importance of appropriate bulk constitutive models and sufficient spatial resolution of the length scale.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Fragmentation Dynamics of Fluorene Explored Using Ultrafast XUV-Vis Pump-Probe Spectroscopy

We report on the use of extreme ultraviolet (XUV, 30.3 nm) radiation from the Free-electron LASer in Hamburg (FLASH) and visible (Vis, 405 nm) photons from an optical laser to investigate the relaxation and fragmentation dynamics of fluorene ions. The ultrashort laser pulses allow to resolve the molecular processes occurring on the femtosecond timescales. Fluorene is a prototypical small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Through their infrared emission signature, PAHs have been shown to be ubiquitous in the universe, and they are assumed to play an important role in the chemistry of the interstellar medium. Our experiments track the ionization and dissociative ionization products of fluorene through time-of-flight mass spectrometry and velocity-map imaging. Multiple processes involved in the formation of each of the fragment ions are disentangled through analysis of the ion images. The relaxation lifetimes of the excited fluorene monocation and dication obtained through the fragment formation channels are reported to be in the range of a few tens of femtoseconds to a few picoseconds.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Dynamic fragmentation of cellular, ice-templated alumina scaffolds

Here, we examine the dynamic failure of ice-templated freeze-cast alumina scaffolds that are being considered as biomimetic hierarchical structures. Three porosities of alumina freeze-cast structures were fabricated, and a systematic variation in microstructural properties such as lamellar width and thickness was observed with changing porosity. Dynamic impact tests were performed in a light-gas gun to examine the failure properties of these materials under high strain-rate loading. Nearly complete delamination was observed following impact, along with characteristic cracking across the lamellar width. Average fragment size decreases with increasing porosity, and a theoretical model was developed to explain this behavior based on microstructural changes. Using an energy balance between kinetic, strain, and surface energies within a single lamella, we are able to accurately predict the characteristic fragment size using only standard material properties of bulk alumina.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fragmentation dynamics through geometrical distortion in low-energy electron attachment to carbon disulfide

The dissociation dynamics of dissociative electron attachment to carbon disulfide is studied using the velocity map imaging technique. Ion yields of the S− and CS− fragments are measured as a function of incident electron energy between 2 and 12 eV. Energy and angle-differential yields of the S− fragments are analyzed to investigate the dynamics of the CS2− anion around the 3.8-eV peak. The resonances involved in this fragmentation are identified and characterized in calculations using the well-known R-matrix method. Based on our measurements and the geometry dependence of the calculated resonances, we propose that a geometrical distortion of the transient negative-ion state of CS2 is necessary for S-CS bond dissociation to occur.

Paul, Anirban↗

Step-by-step state-selective tracking of fragmentation dynamics of water dications by momentum imaging

Abstract The double photoionization of a molecule by one photon ejects two electrons and typically creates an unstable dication. Observing the subsequent fragmentation products in coincidence can reveal a surprisingly detailed picture of the dynamics. Determining the time evolution and quantum mechanical states involved leads to deeper understanding of molecular dynamics. Here in a combined experimental and theoretical study, we unambiguously separate the sequential breakup via D + + OD + intermediates, from other processes leading to the same D + + D + + O final products of double ionization of water by a single photon. Moreover, we experimentally identify, separate, and follow step by step, two pathways involving the b 1 Σ + and a 1 Δ electronic states of the intermediate OD + ion. Our classical trajectory calculations on the relevant potential energy surfaces reproduce well the measured data and, combined with the experiment, enable the determination of the internal energy and angular momentum distribution of the OD + intermediate.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

X-ray induced electron and ion fragmentation dynamics in IBr

Characterization of the inner-shell decay processes in molecules containing heavy elements is key to understanding x-ray damage of molecules and materials and for medical applications with Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides. The 1s hole states of heavy atoms can be produced by absorption of tunable x rays and the resulting vacancy decays characterized by recording emitted photons, electrons, and ions. The 1s hole states in heavy elements have large x-ray fluorescence yields that transfer the hole to intermediate electron shells that then decay by sequential Auger-electron transitions that increase the ion’s charge state until the final state is reached. In molecules, the charge is spread across the atomic sites, resulting in dissociation to energetic atomic ions. We have used x-ray/ion coincidence spectroscopy to measure charge states and energies of Iq+ and Brq′+ atomic ions following 1s ionization at the I and Br K-edges of IBr. We present the charge states and kinetic energies of the two correlated fragment ions associated with core-excited states produced during the various steps of the cascades. Here, to understand the dynamics leading to the ion data, we develop a computational model that combines Monte-Carlo/Molecular-Dynamics (MC/MD) simulations with a classical over-the-barrier model to track inner-shell cascades and redistribution of electrons in valence orbitals and nuclear motion of fragments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamics of fragments and associated phenomena in heavy-ion collisions using a modified secondary algorithm

We discuss the stability of fragments identified by secondary algorithms used to construct fragments within quantum molecular dynamics model. For this purpose we employ three different algorithms for fragment identification. 1) The conventional minimum spanning tree (MST) method based on the spatial correlations, 2) an improved version of MST with additional binding energy constraints of cold nuclear matter, 3) and that of hot matter. We find significant role of thermal binding energies over cold matter binding energies. Significant role is observed for fragment multiplicities and stopping of fragments. Whereas insignificant effect is observed on fragment’s flow.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Dynamics and fragmentation of van der Waals and hydrogen bonded cluster cations: (NH{sub 3}){sub n} and (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n} ionized at 10.51 eV

A 118 nm laser is employed as a high energy, single photon (10.51 eV/photon) source for study of the dynamics and fragmentation of the ammonia borane (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}) cation and its cluster ions through time of flight mass spectrometry. The behavior of ammonia ion and its cluster ions is also investigated under identical conditions in order to explicate the ammonia borane results. Charge distributions, molecular orbitals, and spin densities for (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n} and its cations are explored at both the second-order perturbation theory (MP2) and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) theory levels. Initial dissociation mechanisms and potential energy surfaces for ionized NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}, NH{sub 3}, and their clusters are calculated at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level. Protonated clusters (NH{sub 3}){sub x}H{sup +} dominate ammonia cluster mass spectra: our calculations show that formation of (NH{sub 3}){sub n−1}H{sup +} and NH{sub 2} from the nascent (NH{sub 3}){sub n}{sup +} has the lowest energy barrier for the system. The only common features for the (NH{sub 3}){sub n}{sup +} and (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n}{sup +} mass spectra under these conditions are found to be NH{sub y}{sup +} (y = 0,…,4) at m/z = 14–18. Molecular ions with both {sup 11}B and {sup 10}B isotopes are observed, and therefore, product ions observed for the (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n} cluster system derive from (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n} clusters themselves, not from the NH{sub 3} moiety of NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3} alone. NH{sub 3}BH{sub 2}{sup +} is the most abundant ionization product in the (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n}{sup +} cluster spectra: calculations support that for NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}{sup +}, an H atom is lost from the BH{sub 3} moiety with an energy barrier of 0.67 eV. For (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub 2}{sup +} and (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub 3}{sup +} clusters, a B{sup δ+}⋯H{sup δ−}⋯{sup δ−}H⋯{sup δ+}B bond can form in the respective cluster ions, generating a lower energy, more stable ion structure. The first step in the (NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3}){sub n}{sup +} (n = 2, 3) dissociation is the breaking of the B{sup δ+}⋯H{sup δ−}⋯{sup δ−}H⋯{sup δ+}B moiety, leading to the subsequent release of H{sub 2} from the latter cluster ion. The overall reaction mechanisms calculated are best represented and understood employing a CASSCF natural bond orbital description of the valence electron distribution for the various clusters and monomers. Comparison of the present results with those found for solid NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3} suggests that NH{sub 3}BH{sub 3} can be a good hydrogen storage material.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dissociation dynamics of the diamondoid adamantane upon photoionization by XUV femtosecond pulses

This work presents a photodissociation study of the diamondoid adamantane using extreme ultraviolet femtosecond pulses. The fragmentation dynamics of the dication is unraveled by the use of advanced ion and electron spectroscopy giving access to the dissociation channels as well as their energetics. To get insight into the fragmentation dynamics, we use a theoretical approach combining potential energy surface determination, statistical fragmentation methods and molecular dynamics simulations. We demonstrate that the dissociation dynamics of adamantane dications takes place in a two-step process: barrierless cage opening followed by Coulomb repulsion-driven fragmentation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Correlated fission fragment spin dynamics

Here, this study explores the role of nucleon exchange for the generation of the fission fragment angular momenta. For a number of typical fission cases, samples of 10 4 shape evolutions are generated by Langevin simulation and, subsequently, for each such evolution, the nucleon exchange transport theory previously developed for damped nuclear reactions is used to obtain the development of the fragment spin-spin distribution within the Fokker-Planck transport framework. The characteristic evolution of both parallel and perpendicular spin components is discussed. A common feature is that the rotational modes fall out of equilibrium before scission when the temperature rises rapidly while the concurrent shrinking of the neck suppresses further exchange. A number of fission observables are extracted from the event ensembles: the distribution of the magnitude of the fragment spin and its orientation relative to the fission axis, as well as the correlation between the two spins and the distribution of their opening angle. The dependence of these observables on the mass asymmetry is also examined.

fission↗