Molecular Physics seminar

Ultrafast surface chemistry and catalysis probed with optical and x-ray lasers

by Henrik Öström (SU Fysikum)

Europe/Stockholm
FA31

FA31

Description
Heterogeneous catalysis and surface chemistry chemistry form the backbone of the chemical industry and one of the great challenges in chemical physics is to capture the transition states and ultrafast dynamics of catalytic surface reactions. We use a combination of optical and x-ray laser techniques to study dynamics and microscopic mechanisms of surface reactions. Using pump-probe soft x-ray spectroscopy we selectively probe the adsorbate electronic structure in both transient intermediates and the transition state region during catalytic surface reactions. With femtosecond optical laser mass-spectrometry techniques we probe the ultrafast dynamics and reaction mechanisms specifically in the reaction coordinate. This combination of experiments provides a high level of understanding of the microscopic processes that govern catalytic surface reactions.