Chiral observables and dynamics in a solvation environment, growing water molecule by water molecule (A08*)

• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 328961117

Femtosecond laser experiments with mixed clusters composed of a chiral molecule and water molecules are proposed. The clusters mimic the local solvation environment, which is dominated by hydrogen-bonded networks. In a first step, we will probe the degree of microsolvation via signatures in the photoelectron spectrum and explore its effect on circular dichroism, using an existing setup. We will then expand our investigations to time-resolved studies of the dynamics of a microsolvated chiral molecule. For this we will use photoelectron circular dichroism, extending our experimental capabilities. Finally, we will explore changes to the chiral observable resulting from elastic scattering of the photoelectron in clusters of increasing size. Water clusters are an excellent model system for understanding effects introduced by a solvent, such as steric hindrance.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1319: Extreme light for sensing and driving molecular chirality (ELCH)
• Major Instrumentation: Sensitive delay line anode MCP detector
• Applicant Institution: Universität Kassel
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Jochen Mikosch