Garikoitz Balerdi | Universidad Complutense de Madrid (original) (raw)

Papers by Garikoitz Balerdi

Research paper thumbnail of Encoding of vinylidene isomerization in its anion photoelectron spectrum

Science (New York, N.Y.), Oct 20, 2017

Vinylidene-acetylene isomerization is the prototypical example of a 1,2-hydrogen shift, one of th... more Vinylidene-acetylene isomerization is the prototypical example of a 1,2-hydrogen shift, one of the most important classes of isomerization reactions in organic chemistry. This reaction was investigated with quantum state specificity by high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy of the vinylidene anions H2CC- and D2CC- and quantum dynamics calculations. Peaks in the photoelectron spectra are considerably narrower than in previous work and reveal subtleties in the isomerization dynamics of neutral vinylidene, as well as vibronic coupling with an excited state of vinylidene. Comparison with theory permits assignment of most spectral features to eigenstates dominated by vinylidene character. However, excitation of the ν6 in-plane rocking mode in H2CC results in appreciable tunneling-facilitated mixing with highly vibrationally excited states of acetylene, leading to broadening and/or spectral fine structure that is largely suppressed for analogous vibrational levels of D2CC.

Research paper thumbnail of Strong field control of predissociation dynamics

Faraday Discussions, 2013

Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origi... more Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origin of the second absorption B-band, in which state-selective electronic predissociation occurs through the crossing with a valence dissociative state. Dynamic Stark control (DSC) and pump-dump strategies are shown capable of altering both the predissociation lifetime and the product branching ratio.

Research paper thumbnail of Imaging the predissociation dynamics of the methyl radical from the 3 p z Rydberg state

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Structural dynamics effects on the ultrafast chemical bond cleavage of a photodissociation reaction

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2014

The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecule... more The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecules with increasing structural complexity in order to investigate its influence on bond cleavage reaction times in a photodissociation event. Femtosecond time-resolved velocity map imaging spectroscopy reveals specificity of the ultrafast carbon-iodine (C-I) bond breakage for a series of linear (unbranched) and branched alkyl iodides, due to the interplay between the pure reaction coordinate and the rest of the degrees of freedom associated with the molecular structure details. Full-dimension time-resolved dynamics calculations support the experimental evidence and provide insight into the structure-dynamics relationship to understand structural control on time-resolved reactivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d 7 -aniline following excitation at 272–238 nm

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the el... more Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d7-aniline following photoexcitation in the range 272-238 nm. Together with the results of recent theoretical investigations of the potential energy landscape [M. Sala, O. M. Kirkby, S. Guérin and H. H. Fielding, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 3122], these experiments allow us to resolve a number of unanswered questions surrounding the nonradiative relaxation mechanism. We find that tunnelling does not play a role in the electronic relaxation dynamics, which is surprising given that tunnelling plays an important role in the electronic relaxation of isoelectronic phenol and in pyrrole. We confirm the existence of two time constants associated with dynamics on the 1(1)πσ* surface that we attribute to relaxation through a conical intersection between the 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states and motion on the 1(1)πσ* surface. We also present what we believe is the first report of an experimental signature of a 3-state conical intersection involving the 2(1)ππ*, 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states.

Research paper thumbnail of Femtosecond predissociation dynamics of the methyl radical from the 3pz Rydberg state

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated vari... more The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated variant CD 3 ) from selected vibrational states of the 3p z Rydberg state have been measured for the first time using a novel methodology based on a femtosecond three-color experiment to generate, two-photon excite and ionize methyl radicals as a function of time in combination with velocity map imaging detection.

Research paper thumbnail of Dynamic Stark shift of the R-3(1) Rydberg state of CH3I

Xviiith International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Control of ultrafast molecular photodissociation by laser-field-induced potentials

Nature Chemistry, 2014

Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion ... more Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion that external laser fields can constitute an additional reagent is also well established. The possibility of externally controlling a reaction with radiation increases immensely when its intensity is sufficiently high to distort the potential energy surfaces at which chemists conceptualize reactions take place. Here we explore the transition from the weak- to the strong-field regimes of laser control for the dissociation of a polyatomic molecule, methyl iodide. The control over the yield of the photodissociation reaction proceeds through the creation of a light-induced conical intersection. The control of the velocity of the product fragments requires external fields with both high intensities and short durations. This is because the mechanism by which control is exerted involves modulating the potentials around the light-induced conical intersection, that is, creating light-induced potentials.

Research paper thumbnail of Dynamic Stark shift of the 3 R Rydberg state of CH 3 I

Research paper thumbnail of Femtosecond predissociation dynamics of the methyl radical from the 3pz Rydberg state

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated vari... more The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated variant CD 3 ) from selected vibrational states of the 3p z Rydberg state have been measured for the first time using a novel methodology based on a femtosecond three-color experiment to generate, two-photon excite and ionize methyl radicals as a function of time in combination with velocity map imaging detection.

Research paper thumbnail of Control of ultrafast molecular photodissociation by laser-field-induced potentials

Nature Chemistry, 2014

Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion ... more Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion that external laser fields can constitute an additional reagent is also well established. The possibility of externally controlling a reaction with radiation increases immensely when its intensity is sufficiently high to distort the potential energy surfaces at which chemists conceptualize reactions take place. Here we explore the transition from the weak- to the strong-field regimes of laser control for the dissociation of a polyatomic molecule, methyl iodide. The control over the yield of the photodissociation reaction proceeds through the creation of a light-induced conical intersection. The control of the velocity of the product fragments requires external fields with both high intensities and short durations. This is because the mechanism by which control is exerted involves modulating the potentials around the light-induced conical intersection, that is, creating light-induced potentials.

Research paper thumbnail of Dynamic Stark shift of the R-3(1) Rydberg state of CH3I

Xviiith International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena, 2013

Stark shift of the 3 R 1 Rydberg state of CH 3 I is measured for different Stark field intensitie... more Stark shift of the 3 R 1 Rydberg state of CH 3 I is measured for different Stark field intensities. Photodissociation products, generated after predissociation of the state, were detected when the molecules were excited with photons resonant with the energy difference between the ground and the shifted 3 R 1 state, allowing the shift to be quantified. Qualitative agreement has been found with a 1D model.

Research paper thumbnail of Strong Laser Field Strategies to Control Reaction Dynamics

Frontiers in Optics 2013, 2013

ABSTRACT Strong field control scenarios are investigated in methyl iodide photochemistry in the U... more ABSTRACT Strong field control scenarios are investigated in methyl iodide photochemistry in the UV. Dynamics Stark Control and pump-dump strategies are shown capable of altering key photodissociation dynamical observables of this benchmark molecule. Perspectives for future directions are given.

Research paper thumbnail of Structural dynamics effects on the ultrafast chemical bond cleavage of a photodissociation reaction

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2014

The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecule... more The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecules with increasing structural complexity in order to investigate its influence on bond cleavage reaction times in a photodissociation event. Femtosecond time-resolved velocity map imaging spectroscopy reveals specificity of the ultrafast carbon-iodine (C-I) bond breakage for a series of linear (unbranched) and branched alkyl iodides, due to the interplay between the pure reaction coordinate and the rest of the degrees of freedom associated with the molecular structure details. Full-dimension time-resolved dynamics calculations support the experimental evidence and provide insight into the structure-dynamics relationship to understand structural control on time-resolved reactivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Strong field control of predissociation dynamics

Faraday Discussions, 2013

Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origi... more Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origin of the second absorption B-band, in which state-selective electronic predissociation occurs through the crossing with a valence dissociative state. Dynamic Stark control (DSC) and pump-dump strategies are shown capable of altering both the predissociation lifetime and the product branching ratio.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d 7 -aniline following excitation at 272–238 nm

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the el... more Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d7-aniline following photoexcitation in the range 272-238 nm. Together with the results of recent theoretical investigations of the potential energy landscape [M. Sala, O. M. Kirkby, S. Guérin and H. H. Fielding, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 3122], these experiments allow us to resolve a number of unanswered questions surrounding the nonradiative relaxation mechanism. We find that tunnelling does not play a role in the electronic relaxation dynamics, which is surprising given that tunnelling plays an important role in the electronic relaxation of isoelectronic phenol and in pyrrole. We confirm the existence of two time constants associated with dynamics on the 1(1)πσ* surface that we attribute to relaxation through a conical intersection between the 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states and motion on the 1(1)πσ* surface. We also present what we believe is the first report of an experimental signature of a 3-state conical intersection involving the 2(1)ππ*, 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states.

Research paper thumbnail of Encoding of vinylidene isomerization in its anion photoelectron spectrum

Science (New York, N.Y.), Oct 20, 2017

Vinylidene-acetylene isomerization is the prototypical example of a 1,2-hydrogen shift, one of th... more Vinylidene-acetylene isomerization is the prototypical example of a 1,2-hydrogen shift, one of the most important classes of isomerization reactions in organic chemistry. This reaction was investigated with quantum state specificity by high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy of the vinylidene anions H2CC- and D2CC- and quantum dynamics calculations. Peaks in the photoelectron spectra are considerably narrower than in previous work and reveal subtleties in the isomerization dynamics of neutral vinylidene, as well as vibronic coupling with an excited state of vinylidene. Comparison with theory permits assignment of most spectral features to eigenstates dominated by vinylidene character. However, excitation of the ν6 in-plane rocking mode in H2CC results in appreciable tunneling-facilitated mixing with highly vibrationally excited states of acetylene, leading to broadening and/or spectral fine structure that is largely suppressed for analogous vibrational levels of D2CC.

Research paper thumbnail of Strong field control of predissociation dynamics

Faraday Discussions, 2013

Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origi... more Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origin of the second absorption B-band, in which state-selective electronic predissociation occurs through the crossing with a valence dissociative state. Dynamic Stark control (DSC) and pump-dump strategies are shown capable of altering both the predissociation lifetime and the product branching ratio.

Research paper thumbnail of Imaging the predissociation dynamics of the methyl radical from the 3 p z Rydberg state

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Structural dynamics effects on the ultrafast chemical bond cleavage of a photodissociation reaction

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2014

The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecule... more The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecules with increasing structural complexity in order to investigate its influence on bond cleavage reaction times in a photodissociation event. Femtosecond time-resolved velocity map imaging spectroscopy reveals specificity of the ultrafast carbon-iodine (C-I) bond breakage for a series of linear (unbranched) and branched alkyl iodides, due to the interplay between the pure reaction coordinate and the rest of the degrees of freedom associated with the molecular structure details. Full-dimension time-resolved dynamics calculations support the experimental evidence and provide insight into the structure-dynamics relationship to understand structural control on time-resolved reactivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d 7 -aniline following excitation at 272–238 nm

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the el... more Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d7-aniline following photoexcitation in the range 272-238 nm. Together with the results of recent theoretical investigations of the potential energy landscape [M. Sala, O. M. Kirkby, S. Guérin and H. H. Fielding, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 3122], these experiments allow us to resolve a number of unanswered questions surrounding the nonradiative relaxation mechanism. We find that tunnelling does not play a role in the electronic relaxation dynamics, which is surprising given that tunnelling plays an important role in the electronic relaxation of isoelectronic phenol and in pyrrole. We confirm the existence of two time constants associated with dynamics on the 1(1)πσ* surface that we attribute to relaxation through a conical intersection between the 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states and motion on the 1(1)πσ* surface. We also present what we believe is the first report of an experimental signature of a 3-state conical intersection involving the 2(1)ππ*, 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states.

Research paper thumbnail of Femtosecond predissociation dynamics of the methyl radical from the 3pz Rydberg state

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated vari... more The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated variant CD 3 ) from selected vibrational states of the 3p z Rydberg state have been measured for the first time using a novel methodology based on a femtosecond three-color experiment to generate, two-photon excite and ionize methyl radicals as a function of time in combination with velocity map imaging detection.

Research paper thumbnail of Dynamic Stark shift of the R-3(1) Rydberg state of CH3I

Xviiith International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Control of ultrafast molecular photodissociation by laser-field-induced potentials

Nature Chemistry, 2014

Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion ... more Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion that external laser fields can constitute an additional reagent is also well established. The possibility of externally controlling a reaction with radiation increases immensely when its intensity is sufficiently high to distort the potential energy surfaces at which chemists conceptualize reactions take place. Here we explore the transition from the weak- to the strong-field regimes of laser control for the dissociation of a polyatomic molecule, methyl iodide. The control over the yield of the photodissociation reaction proceeds through the creation of a light-induced conical intersection. The control of the velocity of the product fragments requires external fields with both high intensities and short durations. This is because the mechanism by which control is exerted involves modulating the potentials around the light-induced conical intersection, that is, creating light-induced potentials.

Research paper thumbnail of Dynamic Stark shift of the 3 R Rydberg state of CH 3 I

Research paper thumbnail of Femtosecond predissociation dynamics of the methyl radical from the 3pz Rydberg state

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated vari... more The real time dynamics of electronic predissociation of the CH 3 radical (and its deuterated variant CD 3 ) from selected vibrational states of the 3p z Rydberg state have been measured for the first time using a novel methodology based on a femtosecond three-color experiment to generate, two-photon excite and ionize methyl radicals as a function of time in combination with velocity map imaging detection.

Research paper thumbnail of Control of ultrafast molecular photodissociation by laser-field-induced potentials

Nature Chemistry, 2014

Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion ... more Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion that external laser fields can constitute an additional reagent is also well established. The possibility of externally controlling a reaction with radiation increases immensely when its intensity is sufficiently high to distort the potential energy surfaces at which chemists conceptualize reactions take place. Here we explore the transition from the weak- to the strong-field regimes of laser control for the dissociation of a polyatomic molecule, methyl iodide. The control over the yield of the photodissociation reaction proceeds through the creation of a light-induced conical intersection. The control of the velocity of the product fragments requires external fields with both high intensities and short durations. This is because the mechanism by which control is exerted involves modulating the potentials around the light-induced conical intersection, that is, creating light-induced potentials.

Research paper thumbnail of Dynamic Stark shift of the R-3(1) Rydberg state of CH3I

Xviiith International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena, 2013

Stark shift of the 3 R 1 Rydberg state of CH 3 I is measured for different Stark field intensitie... more Stark shift of the 3 R 1 Rydberg state of CH 3 I is measured for different Stark field intensities. Photodissociation products, generated after predissociation of the state, were detected when the molecules were excited with photons resonant with the energy difference between the ground and the shifted 3 R 1 state, allowing the shift to be quantified. Qualitative agreement has been found with a 1D model.

Research paper thumbnail of Strong Laser Field Strategies to Control Reaction Dynamics

Frontiers in Optics 2013, 2013

ABSTRACT Strong field control scenarios are investigated in methyl iodide photochemistry in the U... more ABSTRACT Strong field control scenarios are investigated in methyl iodide photochemistry in the UV. Dynamics Stark Control and pump-dump strategies are shown capable of altering key photodissociation dynamical observables of this benchmark molecule. Perspectives for future directions are given.

Research paper thumbnail of Structural dynamics effects on the ultrafast chemical bond cleavage of a photodissociation reaction

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2014

The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecule... more The correlation between chemical structure and dynamics has been explored in a series of molecules with increasing structural complexity in order to investigate its influence on bond cleavage reaction times in a photodissociation event. Femtosecond time-resolved velocity map imaging spectroscopy reveals specificity of the ultrafast carbon-iodine (C-I) bond breakage for a series of linear (unbranched) and branched alkyl iodides, due to the interplay between the pure reaction coordinate and the rest of the degrees of freedom associated with the molecular structure details. Full-dimension time-resolved dynamics calculations support the experimental evidence and provide insight into the structure-dynamics relationship to understand structural control on time-resolved reactivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Strong field control of predissociation dynamics

Faraday Discussions, 2013

Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origi... more Strong field control scenarios are investigated in the CH3I predissociation dynamics at the origin of the second absorption B-band, in which state-selective electronic predissociation occurs through the crossing with a valence dissociative state. Dynamic Stark control (DSC) and pump-dump strategies are shown capable of altering both the predissociation lifetime and the product branching ratio.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d 7 -aniline following excitation at 272–238 nm

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the el... more Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been used to compare the electronic relaxation dynamics of aniline and d7-aniline following photoexcitation in the range 272-238 nm. Together with the results of recent theoretical investigations of the potential energy landscape [M. Sala, O. M. Kirkby, S. Guérin and H. H. Fielding, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 3122], these experiments allow us to resolve a number of unanswered questions surrounding the nonradiative relaxation mechanism. We find that tunnelling does not play a role in the electronic relaxation dynamics, which is surprising given that tunnelling plays an important role in the electronic relaxation of isoelectronic phenol and in pyrrole. We confirm the existence of two time constants associated with dynamics on the 1(1)πσ* surface that we attribute to relaxation through a conical intersection between the 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states and motion on the 1(1)πσ* surface. We also present what we believe is the first report of an experimental signature of a 3-state conical intersection involving the 2(1)ππ*, 1(1)πσ* and 1(1)ππ* states.