Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-00714

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Tracking the Complex Dynamics of Electron-Transfer-Mediated Decay in Real Space and Time

Trinter, F. (Corresponding author)Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Hofierka, J.Extern* ; Rist, J.Extern* ; Kircher, M.Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Weller, M.Extern* ; Melzer, N.Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Tsitsonis, D.Extern* ; Geyer, A. ; Kruse, J.Extern* ; Kastirke, G.Extern* ; Williams, J.Extern* ; Miteva, T. ; Doerner, R.Extern* ; Schoeffler, M.Extern* ; Kunitski, M. ; SISOURAT, N.Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Cederbaum, L.Extern* ; Jahnke, T. (Corresponding author)Extern*XFEL.EU*DESY*

2026
ACS Publications Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/jacs.5c15510  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-00714

Abstract: When an electronically excited atom or molecule is embedded in a chemical environment as, e.g., in a liquid or a loosely bound cluster, it can de-excite through mechanisms where neighboring atoms or molecules are actively participating in the decay: either by donating or accepting energy or electrons. For such nonlocal decay channels, nuclear dynamics play a crucial role as they have a direct impact on the decay efficiency itself. Here, we present a detailed study of the electron-transfer-mediated decay in a loosely bound triatomic prototype system, combining experimental results from a 5-fold coincidence measurement and theoretical modeling of the decay process. Depending on the decay time, we find that certain classes of molecular geometries are favored for this type of decay. Our findings provide an intuitive picture of how electron-transfer-mediated decay proceeds. In particular, our results confirm a roaming-like behavior of the atoms of the trimer prior to its decay. Our combined theoretical and experimental approach enables a comprehensive tracing of the real-space properties of the decaying system in the time domain.

Note: Open Access

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. FS-Proposal: I-20191330 EC (I-20191330-EC) (I-20191330-EC)
3. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)509471550 - Dynamik photoionisations-induzierter Prozesse in laser-präparierten Molekülen in der Gasphase und der wässrigen Phase (509471550) (509471550)
4. ETMD_ICEC - Efficient pathways to neutralization and radical production enabled by environment (692657) (692657)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P04 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Chemical Reactions ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 15 ; Index Chemicus ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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