Journal Article

PUBDB-2022-05145

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Femtosecond concerted rotation of molecules on a 2D material interface

Baumgärtner, K.Extern* ; Nozaki, M. ; Reuner, M.Extern* ; Wind, N.Extern*DESY* ; Haniuda, M. ; Metzger, C.Extern* ; Heber, M. ; Kutnyakhov, D.XFEL.EU*DESY* ; Pressacco, F.XFEL.EU*DESY* ; Wenthaus, L. ; Hara, K. ; Chordiya, K.CFEL* ; Min, C.-H.Extern* ; Beye, M.XFEL.EU*DESY* ; Reinert, F. ; Roth, F. ; Mahatha, S. K.Extern* ; Madsen, A. ; Wehling, T.Extern* ; Niki, K. ; Popova-Gorelova, D.Extern* ; Rossnagel, K.DESY* ; Scholz, M. (Corresponding author)

2026
Springer Nature [London]

This record in other databases:  

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41467-026-69801-6  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2022-05145

Abstract: Interfaces between molecules and 2D materials exhibit energy-driven functionalities, wherein charge transfer directs molecular motion. Unlike equilibrium systems, where molecular assemblies settle into static configurations, continuous energy input can drive transient, collective molecular rearrangements. Here, we reveal ultrafast spectroscopic fingerprints of a collective rotational response of molecules on a 2D material following photoexcitation. Our results suggest that photoinduced charge transfer reshapes the interfacial energy potential, giving rise to macroscopic, unidirectional molecular rotation and the formation of a homochiral molecular arrangement. Using a multiplexed ultrafast photoemission spectroscopy approach, we simultaneously track, electronic states, atomic positions, and orbital wavefunctions with femtosecond and sub-Ångström resolution. Multimodal valence and core electron emission analysis disentangles the intertwined electronic-structural dynamics of the molecule and the 2D material, revealing the dynamic modulation of charge distribution and intermolecular forces that drive collective molecular motion. Our findings open a pathway for designing energy-driven molecular systems with tunable interfacial dynamics, with potential applications in chiral engineering and active matter systems.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. FS-FLASH (FS-FLASH)
3. FLASH Wissenschaftlicher Nutzerbetrieb (FS-FLASH-O)
4. Laser Forschung und Entwicklung (FS-LA)
5. Soft X-Ray Port (XFEL_E2_SXP)
6. MID (XFEL_E1_MID)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G2 - FLASH (DESY) (POF4-6G2) (POF4-6G2)
3. 05K22FK2 - Verbundprojekt 05K2022 - 10K-THz-k-ToF: 10K ToF-Impulsmikroskop für FLASH mit Terahertz Anregung und Raumladungsunterdrückung. Teilprojekt 2. (BMBF-05K22FK2) (BMBF-05K22FK2)
4. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390858490 - EXC 2147: Komplexität und Topologie in Quantenmaterialien (CT.QMAT) (390858490) (390858490)
5. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390715994 - EXC 2056: CUI: Tiefe Einblicke in Materie (390715994) (390715994)
6. SFB 925 B02 - Ultraschnelle Dynamik in stark korrelierten Systemen (B02) (201270818) (201270818)
7. 05K22OF2 - Untersuchungen des Ladungstransfers an Grenzflächen mittels pikosekunden zeitaufgelöster Photoelektronenspektroskopie bei Umgebungsdruck (BMBF-05K22OF2) (BMBF-05K22OF2)
8. FS-Proposal: F-20190734 (F-20190734) (F-20190734)

Experiment(s):

1. FLASH Beamline PG2 (FLASH)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 15 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

---