Strong-field dynamics of molecules: electron-nuclear correlation (Prof. Jian Wu)

Strong-field dynamics of molecules: electron-nuclear correlation

  • Date: May 24, 2019
  • Time: 01:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
  • Speaker: Prof. Jian Wu
  • East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai
  • Location: Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
  • Room: Herbert Walther Lecture Hall
  • Host: MPQ, Attosecond Physics Division
The primary phase of the light-molecule interaction is the photon energy absorption and deposition. Although the electron is much lighter than the nuclei, there is a strong electron-nuclear correlation for molecules exposed to strong laser fields. The photon energy deposits into the nuclei governs the succeeding dynamics and thus the fate of the molecules.

Here, we experimentally reveal the correlated electron-nuclear dynamics by measuring the electrons and nuclear fragments ejected from a single molecule in coincidence. Our experimental results show that the electron and nuclei in a molecule share the absorbed multiphoton energy in a correlative manner [1,2]. The molecule as a whole absorbs the photon energy. The electron-nuclear energy sharing assisted by the rescattering lead to the observation of long-term predicted photon-energy spaced above threshold dissociation spectrum of breaking molecules [3], which is the interference of the periodically emitted electron-nuclear wave packet in the oscillating strong laser fields. Interestingly, for molecules in strong laser fields, a liberated electron can be recaptured by the ejected ionic fragments, leading to the formation of the excited Rydberg fragments. We real-time observe and further directionally control the dissociative frustrated double ionization of hydrogen molecules [4]. The frustrated double ionization of molecules can be generally understood in a multiphoton route by considering the correlated dynamics of electrons and nuclei of the molecule [5].


After the talk, Prof. Guoyue Shi will present a brief overview of ECNU, its history and main disciplines as well as the HR policies. He will also discuss opportunities to join ECNU for PhD studies or as postdoc.

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