Imaging Polyatomic Molecules in Three Dimensions using Molecular Frame Photoelectron Angular Distributions

ORAL

Abstract

We demonstrate a method for determining the full three-dimensional molecular frame photoelectron angular distribution in polyatomic molecules using methane as a prototype. Simultaneous double Auger decay and subsequent dissociation allow measurement of the initial momentum vectors of the ionic fragments and the photoelectron in coincidence, allowing full orientation by observing a three-ion decay pathway, [H$^+$, H$^+$, CH$_2^+$]. We find the striking result that at low photoelectron energies the molecule is effectively imaged by the focusing of photoelectrons along bond directions.

*Supported in part by the US DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences.

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Authors

  • Joshua Williams

    • Auburn University

  • A.L. Landers

    • Auburn University

  • C. Trevisan

    • California Maritime Academy

  • T. Jahnke

    • University of Frankfurt

  • M.S. Schoeffler

    • University of Frankfurt

  • R. Doerner

    • University of Frankfurt

  • I. Bocharova

    • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • F. Sturm

    • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • C.W. McCurdy

    • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • A. Belkacem

    • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Th. Weber

    • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory