Ultraintense x-ray induced ionization, dissociation, and frustrated absorption in molecular nitrogen

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Jun 25;104(25):253002. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.253002. Epub 2010 Jun 23.

Abstract

Sequential multiple photoionization of the prototypical molecule N2 is studied with femtosecond time resolution using the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). A detailed picture of intense x-ray induced ionization and dissociation dynamics is revealed, including a molecular mechanism of frustrated absorption that suppresses the formation of high charge states at short pulse durations. The inverse scaling of the average target charge state with x-ray peak brightness has possible implications for single-pulse imaging applications.