Experimental study of photoionization and decay of atoms and small molecules
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium L2
Topic of the dissertation
Experimental study of photoionization and decay of atoms and small molecules
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science Maximilian Mailhiot
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Science, Nano and Molecular Systems Research Unit
Subject of study
Physics
Opponent
Professor Emma Sokell, University College Dublin
Custos
Professor Marko Huttula, University of Oulu
Experimental study of photoionization and decay of atoms and small molecules
Atoms play a key role in our modern scientific understanding of the world and many macroscopic properties of matter depend on the behavior of their electronic shell. We can gather information about this shell, by irradiating atoms with light and detecting emitted electrons. This method of electron spectroscopy is a widely used technique with applications in many fields, ranging from biology to material research.
The present study aims at pushing the boundaries of electron spectroscopy, by measuring several elusive processes that occur with a low probability, only. These processes enhance our understanding of atoms and electrons both from a theoretical and experimental point of view.
For the study, a specific kind of spectrometer, a magnetic bottle type time-of-flight spectrometer was developed in Oulu. The instrument was successfully employed at MAX IV, a synchrotron light facility in Lund, Sweden. A similar instrument was used at Synchrotron Soleil, Paris.
As a result, the creation mechanisms of states accompanying the main ionization line could be measured for krypton. For the charge transfer between the atoms in N2O, an upper boundary of the probability was established. For the noble gas argon, the decay of double core holes, which is of interest for theory and chemical analysis, was measured and compared to calculations.
The present study aims at pushing the boundaries of electron spectroscopy, by measuring several elusive processes that occur with a low probability, only. These processes enhance our understanding of atoms and electrons both from a theoretical and experimental point of view.
For the study, a specific kind of spectrometer, a magnetic bottle type time-of-flight spectrometer was developed in Oulu. The instrument was successfully employed at MAX IV, a synchrotron light facility in Lund, Sweden. A similar instrument was used at Synchrotron Soleil, Paris.
As a result, the creation mechanisms of states accompanying the main ionization line could be measured for krypton. For the charge transfer between the atoms in N2O, an upper boundary of the probability was established. For the noble gas argon, the decay of double core holes, which is of interest for theory and chemical analysis, was measured and compared to calculations.
Last updated: 23.1.2024