Novel Proves for Molecular Structure and Dynamics using Ultrashort Twisted X-rays

Speaker:  Haiwang Yong, UCSD

Program Description:
The ability to 'watch' ultrafast quantum motions of molecular electrons and nuclei can help us gain new insights into elementary events. This is expected to lead to new physical and chemical processes created through the control and manipulation of atoms and electrons in molecules on ultrafast time scales. In this talk, I will first provide a brief overview of recent experimental advances in ultrafast X-ray scattering. We exploit hard X-ray pulses from the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) to study ultrafast structural dynamics in molecules. Following that, I will introduce two novel probes based on twisted X-ray beams. These techniques have the potential to capture vibronic coherences at conical intersections and monitor dynamical chirality in molecules.