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At least 73 records · Page 4

Spatiotemporal analysis of a final-state shape resonance in interferometric photoemission from Cu(111) surfaces

Photoemission from solid targets includes the excitation and motion of electrons inside the substrate, followed by their propagation in vacuum and detection. It thus depends on the electronic band structure of the solid in the two distinct spectral domains of bound initial and continuum final states. While the imprint of the static (initial-state) valence electronic structure of solids on photoemission spectra is routinely examined in standard photoemission spectroscopy in the energy domain, state-of-the-art time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy allows, in addition, the scrutiny of photoelectron propagation in the electronic continuum. Within a quantum-mechanical model for attosecond time-resolved interferometric photoelectron emission from solids, we calculated photoemission spectra as a function of the delay between the exciting primary attosecond pulse train and assisting infrared (IR) laser pulse. Accounting for final-state interactions of the photoelectron with the IR laser electric field and the periodic substrate, our numerical results for interferometric photoemission from the 3d-valence band of Cu(111) surfaces show a striking resonantly enhanced sideband yield at photoelectron kinetic energies near 24 eV, in conjunction with a pronounced increase of the photoelectron wave-function amplitude inside the solid on a length scale of a few nanometers. In this work, this resonant shift of final-state photoelectron-probability density towards the bulk can be interpreted as an increase in the photoelectron propagation time in the solid and is commensurate with the resonantly enhanced spectral sideband-phase shifts observed in recent two-pathway two-photon interference spectra by Kasmi et al.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Theory of subcycle time-resolved photoemission: Application to terahertz photodressing in graphene

Here, motivated by recent experimental progress we revisit the theory of pump–probe time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (trARPES), which is one of the most powerful techniques to trace transient pump-driven modifications of the electronic properties. The pump-induced dynamics can be described in different gauges for the light–matter interaction. Standard minimal coupling leads to the velocity gauge, defined by linear coupling to the vector potential. In the context of tight-binding (TB) models, the Peierls substitution is the commonly employed scheme for single-band models. Multi-orbital extensions – including the coupling of the dipole moments to the electric field – have been introduced and tested recently. In this work, we derive the theory of time-resolved photoemission within both gauges from the perspective of nonequilibrium Green’s functions. This approach naturally incorporates the photoelectron continuum, which allows for a direct calculation of the observable photocurrent. Following this route we introduce gauge-invariant expressions for the time-resolved photoemission signal. The theory is applied to graphene pumped with short terahertz pulses, which we treat within a first-principles TB model. We investigate the gauge invariance and discuss typical effects observed in subcycle time-resolved photoemission. Our formalism is an ideal starting point for realistic trARPES simulations including scattering effects.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A medium-energy photoemission and ab-initio investigation of cubic yttria-stabilised zirconia

Experimental and theoretical investigations into the electronic properties and structure of cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia are presented. Medium-energy x-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements have been carried out for material with a concentration of 8-9 mol. % yttria. Resonant photoemission spectra are obtained for a range of photon energies that traverse the L2 absorption edge for both zirconium and yttrium. Through correlation with results from density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, based on structural models proposed in the literature, we assign photoemission peaks appearing in the spectra to core lines and Auger transitions. An analysis of the core level features enables the identification of shifts in the core level energies due to different local chemical environments of the constituent atoms. In general, each core line feature can be decomposed into three contributions, with associated energy shifts. Their identification with results of DFT calculations carried out for proposed atomic structures, lends support to these structural models. The experimental results indicate a multi-atom resonant photoemission effect between nearest-neighbour oxygen and yttrium atoms. Near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectra for zirconium and yttrium are also presented, which correlate well with calculated Zr- and Y-4d electron partial density-of-states and with Auger electron peak area versus photon energy curve.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Direct comparative study on the energy level alignments in unoccupied/occupied states of organic semiconductor/electrode interface by constructing in-situ photoemission spectroscopy and Ar gas cluster ion beam sputtering integrated analysis system

Through the installation of electron gun and photon detector, an in-situ photoemission and damage-free sputtering integrated analysis system is completely constructed. Therefore, this system enables to accurately characterize the energy level alignments including unoccupied/occupied molecular orbital (LUMO/HOMO) levels at interface region of organic semiconductor/electrode according to depth position. Based on Ultraviolet Photoemission Spectroscopy (UPS), Inverse Photoemission Spectroscopy (IPES), and reflective electron energy loss spectroscopy, the occupied/unoccupied state of in-situ deposited Tris[4-(carbazol-9-yl)phenyl]amine (TCTA) organic semiconductors on Au (E{sub LUMO}: 2.51 eV and E{sub HOMO}: 1.35 eV) and Ti (E{sub LUMO}: 2.19 eV and E{sub HOMO}: 1.69 eV) electrodes are investigated, and the variation of energy level alignments according to work function of electrode (Au: 4.81 eV and Ti: 4.19 eV) is clearly verified. Subsequently, under the same analysis condition, the unoccupied/occupied states at bulk region of TCTA/Au structures are characterized using different Ar gas cluster ion beam (Ar GCIB) and Ar ion sputtering processes, respectively. While the Ar ion sputtering process critically distorts both occupied and unoccupied states in UPS/IPES spectra, the Ar GCIB sputtering process does not give rise to damage on them. Therefore, we clearly confirm that the in-situ photoemission spectroscopy in combination with Ar GCIB sputtering allows of investigating accurate energy level alignments at bulk/interface region as well as surface region of organic semiconductor/electrode structure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Streaking and Wigner time delays in photoemission from atoms and surfaces

Streaked photoemission metrology allows the observation of an apparent relative time delay between the detection of photoelectrons from different initial electronic states. This relative delay is obtained by recording the photoelectron yield as a function of the delay between an ionizing ultrashort extended ultraviolet pulse and a streaking infrared (IR) pulse. Theoretically, photoemission delays can be defined based on (i) the phase shift the photoelectron wave function accumulates during the release and propagation of the photoelectron (''Wigner delay'') and, alternatively, (ii) the streaking trace in the calculated photoemission spectrum (''streaking delay''). We investigate the relation between Wigner and streaking delays in the photoemission from atomic and solid-surface targets. For solid targets and assuming a vanishing IR skin depth, both Wigner and streaking delays can be interpreted as an average propagation time needed by photoelectrons to reach the surface, while the two delays differ for nonvanishing skin depths. For atomic targets, the difference between Wigner and streaking delays depends on the range of the ionic potential.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Effect of wave-function localization on the time delay in photoemission from surfaces

We investigate streaking time delays in the photoemission from a solid model surface as a function of the degree of localization of the initial-state wave functions. We consider a one-dimensional slab with lattice constant a{sub latt} of attractive Gaussian-shaped core potentials of width {sigma}. The parameter {sigma}/a{sub latt} thus controls the overlap between adjacent core potentials and localization of the electronic eigenfunctions on the lattice points. Small values of {sigma}/a{sub latt}<<1 yield lattice eigenfunctions that consist of localized atomic wave functions modulated by a ''Bloch-envelope'' function, while the eigenfunctions become delocalized for larger values of {sigma}/a{sub latt} > or approx 0.4. By numerically solving the time-dependent Schroedinger equation, we calculate photoemission spectra from which we deduce a characteristic bimodal shape of the band-averaged photoemission time delay: as the slab eigenfunctions become increasingly delocalized, the time delay quickly decreases near {sigma}/a{sub latt}=0.3 from relatively large values below {sigma}/a{sub latt}{approx}0.2 to much smaller delays above {sigma}/a{sub latt}{approx}0.4. This change in wave-function localization facilitates the interpretation of a recently measured apparent relative time delay between the photoemission from core and conduction-band levels of a tungsten surface.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Comparative time-resolved photoemission from the Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces

Motivated by the striking dependence of the valence electronic structure of transition metal surfaces on their crystallographic orientation, and by emerging experiments on laser-assisted extended ultraviolet (XUV) photoemission from solid surfaces, we calculate photoemission spectra from Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces as a function of the photoelectron final kinetic energy and the delay between the ionizing attosecond XUV pulse train and assisting infrared (IR) laser pulse. Our numerical simulations predict distinct differences in delay-dependent photoelectron energy distributions and photoemission time delays for Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces. Furthermore, these differences can be scrutinized experimentally with existing technology in a suggested in situ comparative RABBITT (reconstruction of attosecond beating by interference of two-photon transitions) configuration by placing the two surfaces on a sliding platform while keeping all optical components and pathlengths fixed. Our calculations also show that the inclusion of the Fresnel-reflected incident IR pulse at the metal-vacuum interface modifies photoelectron spectra and photoemission time delays in a characteristic way that reveals the degree of spatial location of the initial electronic states.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Experimental Characterization of Photoemission from Plasmonic Nanogroove Arrays

Metal photocathodes are an important source of high-brightness electron beams, ubiquitous in the operation of both large-scale accelerators and table-top microscopes. When the surface of a metal is nanoengineered with patterns on the order of the optical wavelength, it can lead to the excitation and confinement of surface-plasmon-polariton waves that drive nonlinear photoemission. In this work, we aim to evaluate gold plasmonic nanogrooves as a concept for producing bright electron beams for accelerators via nonlinear photoemission. Here, we do this by first comparing their optical properties to numerical calculations from first principles to confirm our ability to fabricate these nanoscale structures. Their nonlinear photoemission yield is found by measuring emitted photocurrent as the intensity of their driving laser is varied. Finally, the mean transverse energy of this electron source is found using the solenoid-scan technique. Our data demonstrate the ability of these cathodes to provide a tenfold enhancement in the efficiency of photoemission over flat metals driven with a linear process. We find that these cathodes are robust and capable of reaching sustained average currents over 100 nA at optical intensities larger than 2 GW cm –2 with no degradation of performance. The emittance of the generated beam is found to be highly asymmetric, a fact we can explain with calculations involving the also asymmetric roughness of the patterned surface. These results demonstrate the use of nanoengineered surfaces as enhanced photocathodes, providing a robust air-stable source of high-average-current electron beams hopefully with great potential for industrial and scientific applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Plasmonically assisted channels of photoemission from metals

We analyze recently measured nonlinear photoemission spectra from Ag surfaces that reveal resonances whose energies do not scale with the applied photon energy but stay pinned to multiples of bulk plasmon energy $\hbar$ω p above the Fermi level. To elucidate these unexpected and peculiar features we investigate the spectra of plasmons generated in a solid by the optically pumped electronic polarization and their effect on photoemission. By combining quadratic response formalism for calculations of photoemission yield, a nonperturbative approach to inelastic electron scattering, and first-principles calculations for the electronic structure, we demonstrate the dependence of probability amplitude for single- and multiplasmon excitations on the basic parameters characterizing the photon pulse and the system. The resulting multiexcitation spectrum evolves towards a truncated plasmonic coherent state. Analogous concept is extrapolated to interpret plasmon generation by multiphoton excited electronic polarization. Based on this we elaborate a scenario that the thus created real plasmons act as supplementary frequency-locked pump field for non-Einsteinian plasmonically assisted channels of photoemission from metals. The established paradigm enables assignment and assessment of the observed linear $\hbar$ω p and nonlinear 2$\hbar$ω p electron yields from Ag. Such effects may be exploited for selective filtering of optical energy conversion in electronic systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Importance of bulk excitations and coherent electron-photon-phonon scattering in photoemission from PbTe(111): Ab initio theory with experimental comparisons

This paper presents a fully ab initio many-body photoemission framework that includes coherent three-body electron-photon-phonon scattering to predict the transverse momentum distributions and the mean transverse energies (MTEs) of bulk photoelectrons from single-crystal photocathodes. The need to develop such a theory stems from the lack of studies that provide complete understanding of the underlying fundamental processes governing the transverse momentum distribution of photoelectrons emitted from single crystals. For example, initial predictions based on density-functional theory calculations of effective electron masses suggested that the (111) surface of PbTe would produce very small MTEs (≤ 15 meV), whereas our experiments yielded MTEs ten to twenty times larger than these predictions and also exhibited a lower photoemission threshold than predicted. The ab initio framework presented in this paper correctly reproduces both the magnitude of the MTEs from our measurements in PbTe(111) and the observed photoemission below the predicted threshold. Our results show that both photoexcitations into states that propagate in the bulk of the material and coherent many-body electron-photon-phonon scattering processes, which initial predictions ignored, play surprisingly important roles in photoemission from PbTe(111). Lastly, from the lessons learned, we recommend a procedure for rapid computational screening of potential single-crystal photocathodes for applications in next-generation ultrafast electron diffraction and X-ray free-electron lasers, which will enable significant advances in condensed matter research.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nonlinear Photoemission Electron Micrographs of Plasmonic Nanoholes in Gold Thin Films

Nonlinear photoemission electron microscopy of isolated nanoholes in gold thin films map propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) launched from the lithographically patterned plasmonic structures. A damped sinusoidal elongated ring-like photoemission beat pattern is observed from the nanoholes, following low angle of incidence irradiation of these structures with sub-15 fs 780 nm laser pulses. A notable agreement between finite difference time domain simulations and experiment corroborates our assignment of the observed photoemission patterns to SPPs launched from isolated nanoholes and probed through nonlinear photoemission. We also demonstrate how the efficiency of coupling light waves into isolated plasmonic holes can be tuned by varying hole diameter. In this regard, a simple intuitive geometrical model, which accounts for the observed and simulated diameter dependent plasmonic response, is proposed. Overall, this study paves the way for designing nanohole assemblies where optical coupling and subsequent plasmon propagation can be rationally controlled through 2D SPP interferometry

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Attosecond intra-valence band dynamics and resonant-photoemission delays in W(110)

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with attosecond precision provides new insights into the photoelectric effect and gives information about the timing of photoemission from different electronic states within the electronic band structure of solids. Electron transport, scattering phenomena and electron-electron correlation effects can be observed on attosecond time scales by timing photoemission from valence band states against that from core states. However, accessing intraband effects was so far particularly challenging due to the simultaneous requirements on energy, momentum and time resolution. Here we report on an experiment utilizing intracavity generated attosecond pulse trains to meet these demands at high flux and high photon energies to measure intraband delays between sp- and d- band states in the valence band photoemission from tungsten and investigate final-state effects in resonant photoemission.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Unveiling the orbital texture of 1T-TiTe 2 using intrinsic linear dichroism in multidimensional photoemission spectroscopy

The momentum-dependent orbital character in crystalline solids, referred to as orbital texture, is of capital importance in the emergence of symmetry-broken collective phases, such as charge density waves as well as superconducting and topological states of matter. By performing extreme ultraviolet multidimensional angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy for two different crystal orientations linked to each other by mirror symmetry, we isolate and identify the role of orbital texture in photoemission from the transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-TiTe 2 . By comparing our experimental results with theoretical calculations based on both a quantitative one-step model of photoemission and an intuitive tight-binding model, we unambiguously demonstrate the link between the momentum-dependent orbital orientation and the emergence of strong intrinsic linear dichroism in the photoelectron angular distributions. Our results represent an important step towards going beyond band structure (eigenvalues) mapping and learning about electronic wavefunction and orbital texture of solids by exploiting matrix element effects in photoemission spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Vanishing carrier-envelope-phase-sensitive response in optical-field photoemission from plasmonic nanoantennas

At the surfaces of nanostructures, enhanced electric fields can drive optical-field photoemission and thereby generate and control electrical currents at frequencies exceeding 100 THz. A hallmark of such optical-field photoemission is the sensitivity of the total emitted current to the carrier-envelope phase (CEP). In this work, we examine CEP-sensitive photoemission from plasmonic gold nanoantennas excited with few-cycle optical pulses. At a critical pulse energy, which we call a vanishing point, we observe a pronounced dip in the magnitude of the CEP-sensitive photocurrent accompanied by a sudden shift of π radians in the photocurrent phase. Analysis shows that this vanishing behaviour arises due to competition between sub-optical-cycle electron emission events from neighbouring optical half-cycles and that both the dip and phase shift are highly sensitive to the precise shape of the driving optical waveform at the surface of the emitter. As the mechanisms underlying the dip and phase shift are a general consequence of nonlinear, field-driven photoemission, they may be used to probe sub-optical-cycle emission processes from solid-state emitters, atoms and molecules. Improved understanding of these CEP-sensitive photocurrent features will be critical to the development of optical-field-driven photocathodes for time-domain metrology and microscopy applications demanding attosecond temporal and nanometre spatial resolution.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Surface studies of solids using integral x-ray-induced photoemission yield

X-ray induced photoemission yield contains structural information complementary to that provided by X-ray Fresnel reflectivity, which presents an advantage to a wide variety of surface studies if this information is made easily accessible. Photoemission in materials research is commonly acknowledged as a method with a probing depth limited by the escape depth of the photoelectrons. Here we show that the integral hard-X-ray-induced photoemission yield is modulated by the Fresnel reflectivity of a multilayer structure and carries structural information that extends well beyond the photoelectron escape depth. A simple electric self-detection of the integral photoemission yield and Fourier data analysis permit extraction of thicknesses of individual layers. The approach does not require detection of the reflected radiation and can be considered as a framework for non-invasive evaluation of buried layers with hard X-rays under grazing incidence.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observation of two-photon photoemission from cesium telluride photocathodes excited by a near-infrared laser

We explore nonlinear photoemission in cesium telluride (Cs$_2$Te) photocathodes where an ultrashort ($\sim 100$ fs full width at half max) 800-nm infrared laser is used as the drive-laser in lieu of the typical $\sim 266$-nm ultraviolet laser. An important figure of merit for photocathodes, the quantum efficiency, we define here for nonlinear photoemission processes in order to compare with linear photoemission. The charge against drive-laser (infrared) energy is studied for different laser energy and intensity values and cross-compared with previously performed similar studies on copper [P. Musumeci et al., \emph{Phys. Rev. Lett.}, \textbf{104}, 084801 (2010)], a metallic photocathode. We particularly observe two-photon photoemission in Cs$_2$Te using the infrared laser in contrast to the anticipated three-photon process as observed for metallic photocathodes.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Photoemission Induced Plasma Breakdown (Update)

Laser-induced photoemission of electrons offers opportunities to trigger and control plasmas and discharges. However, the underlying mechanisms are not sufficiently characterized to be fully utilized. Photoemission is highly nonlinear, achieved through multiphoton absorption, above threshold ionization, photo-assisted tunneling, etc., where the dominant process depends on the work function of the material, photon energy and associated fields, surface heating, background fields, etc. To characterize the effects of photoemission on breakdown, breakdown experiments were performed and interpreted using a 0D plasma discharge circuit model and quantum model of photoemission.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Photoemission of Single Dust Grains for Heliospheric Conditions

Initial results of an experiment to measure the photoemission of single dust grains as a function of far ultraviolet wavelengths are presented. Coulombic forces dominate the interaction of the dust grains in the heliosphere. Knowledge of the charge state of dust grains, whether in a dusty plasma (Debye length < intergrain distance) or in the diffuse interplanetary region, is key to understanding their interaction with the solar wind and other solar system constituents. The charge state of heliospheric grains is primarily determined by primary electron and ion collisions, secondary electron emission and photoemission due to ultraviolet sunlight. We have established a unique experimental technique to measure the photoemission of individual micron-sized dust grains in vacuum. This technique resolves difficulties associated with statistical measurements of dust grain ensembles and non-static dust beams. The photoemission yield of Aluminum Oxide 3-micron grains For wavelengths from 120-300 nm with a spectral resolution of 1 nm FWHM is reported. Results are compared to interplanetary conditions.

Spann, James F., Jr.↗