Auger recombination and excited state relaxation dynamics in Hg n- (n=9-20) anion clusters

Graham B. Griffin, Oli T. Ehrler, Aster Kammrath, Ryan M. Young, Ori Cheshnovsky, Daniel M. Neumark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging, electron-hole pairs are created in size-selected Hgn- anion clusters (n=9-20), and the subsequent decay dynamics are measured. These clusters eject electrons via Auger decay on time scales of 100-600 fs. There is an abrupt increase in the Auger decay time for clusters larger than Hg12-, coinciding with the onset of the transition from van der Waals to covalent bonding in mercury clusters. Our results also show evidence for subpicosecond excited state relaxation attributed to inelastic electron-electron and electron-hole scattering as well as hole-induced contraction of the cluster.

Original languageEnglish
Article number231103
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume130
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Science FoundationCHE-0649647
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation2004-401, 2000-333

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