Observing femtosecond orbital dynamics in ultrafast Ge melting with time-resolved resonant X-ray scattering.

ABSTRACT: Photoinduced nonequilibrium phase transitions have stimulated interest in the dynamic interactions between electrons and crystalline ions, which have long been overlooked within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Ultrafast melting before lattice thermalization prompted researchers to revisit this issue to understand ultrafast photoinduced weakening of the crystal bonding. However, the absence of direct evidence demonstrating the role of orbital dynamics in lattice disorder leaves it elusive. By performing time-resolved resonant X-ray scattering with an X-ray free-electron laser, we directly monitored the ultrafast dynamics of bonding orbitals of Ge to drive photoinduced melting. Increased photoexcitation of bonding electrons amplifies the orbital disturbance to expedite the lattice disord

SUBMITTER: Lee H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10619452 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature