Ground state potential energy surfaces around selected atoms from resonant inelastic x-ray scattering.

ABSTRACT: Thermally driven chemistry as well as materials' functionality are determined by the potential energy surface of a systems electronic ground state. This makes the potential energy surface a central and powerful concept in physics, chemistry and materials science. However, direct experimental access to the potential energy surface locally around atomic centers and to its long-range structure are lacking. Here we demonstrate how sub-natural linewidth resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at vibrational resolution is utilized to determine ground state potential energy surfaces locally and detect long-range changes of the potentials that are driven by local modifications. We show how the general concept is applicable not only to small isolated molecules such as O2 but also to strongly inter

SUBMITTER: Schreck S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4731820 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature