Interface identification by non-local autoionization transitions.

We use an autoionization process that involves ultrafast energy transfer to neighbouring sites to characterize the formation of NeAr van der Waals bonds in clusters formed by a coexpansion of both gases. This autoionization process, the so-called interatomic or intermolecular coulombic decay (ICD), is ubiquitous in weakly bonded systems. The energy of the electron being emitted in the ICD process is shown to be characteristic of the two neighbouring entities and is therefore suggested as a new means for structural investigation, such as interface identification, of weakly bonded complexes.

Photoelectron circular dichroism in core level ionization of randomly oriented pure enantiomers of the chiral molecule camphor.

The inner-shell photoionization of unoriented camphor molecules by circularly polarized light has been investigated from threshold to a photoelectron kinetic energy of approximately 65 eV. Photoelectron spectra of the carbonyl C 1s orbital, recorded at the magic angle of 54.7 degrees with respect to the light propagation direction, show an asymmetry of up to 6% on change of either the photon helicity or molecular enantiomer.