Measurement and laser control of attosecond charge migration in ionized iodoacetylene

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aab2160
• Publication Date: 2015-10-23T15:29:58Z
• Authors: P. M. Kraus; B. Mignolet; D. Baykusheva; A. Rupenyan; L. Horný; E. F. Penka; G. Grassi; O. I. Tolstikhin; J. Schneider; F. Jensen; L. B. Madsen; A. D. Bandrauk; F. Remacle; H. J. Wörner
• Keywords: Attosecond

Electronic movement flashing into view Numerous chemical processes begin with ionization: the ejection of an electron from a molecule. What happens in immediate aftermath that event? Kraus et al. explored this question iodoacetylene by detecting and analyzing spectrum emitted high harmonics (see Perspective Ueda). They traced migration residual positively charged hole along molecular axis on time scale faster than quadrillionth second. thereby characterized capacity laser field to steer hole's motion appropriately oriented molecules. Science , issue p. 790 ; see also 740