Ultrafast Structural Dynamics of Photo-Reactions Revealed by Model-Independent X-ray Cross-Correlation Analysis

Abstract

We applied angular X-ray Cross-Correlation analysis (XCCA) to scattering images from a femtosecond resolution LCLS X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pump-probe experiment with solvated PtPOP ([Pt${}_2$(P${}_2$O${}_5$H${}_2$)${}_4$]${}^{4-}$) metal complex molecules. The molecules were pumped with linear polarized laser pulses creating an excited state population with a preferred orientational (alignment) direction. Two time scales of $1.9\pm 1.5$ ps and $46\pm 10$ ps were revealed by model-independent XCCA, associated with an internal structural changes and rotational dephasing, respectively. Our studies illustrate the potential of XCCA to reveal hidden structural information in a model independent analysis of time evolution of solvated metal complex molecules.

arXiv comment8 pages, 5 figures, 50 references

References in corpus (8)

• Self-referenced coherent diffraction x-ray movie of Angstrom- and femtosecond-scale atomic motion
• X-ray cross-correlation analysis and local symmetries of disordered systems. I. General theory
• Quantifying Angular Correlations between the Atomic Lattice and Superlattice of Nanocrystals Assembled with Directional Linking
• X-ray cross-correlation analysis applied to disordered two-dimensional systems
• Anisotropy enhanced X-ray scattering from solvated transition metal complexes
• X-ray cross-correlation analysis of liquid crystal membranes in the vicinity of hexatic-smectic phase transition
• Local structure of semicrystalline P3HT films probed by nanofocused coherent x-rays
• X-ray cross-correlation analysis of disordered systems: potentials and limitations

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Angular x-ray cross-correlation analysis (AXCCA): Basic concepts and recent applications to soft matter and nanomaterials