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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R18666/01
Title: Threshold Photo Double Ionisation In Molecules and Atoms and the Role of Circular Dichroism
Principal Investigator: King, Professor GC
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Department: Physics & Astronomy
Organisation: Victoria University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 15 June 2001 Ends: 14 June 2003 Value (£): 207,881
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Scattering & Spectroscopy
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Communications
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Summary on Grant Application Form
We wish to study the way light, in particular circularly polarised light, causes double ionisation in small molecules and heavy atoms. The prototype system of photo-double ionisation in helium is well understood. We wish to explore the new physics which is coming from the study of molecules, from the heavier rare gases, and from the use of circularly polarised light. Molecules with their nuclear degrees of freedom open he door to a rich set of phenomena including fragmentation. The heavier rare gases bring the possibility of indirect ionisation processes. The use of circularly polarised light includes circular dichroism effects that probe the finest details of the angular patterns of the ejected electrons.The most detailed information about double ionisation is contained in the triple differential cross section (TDCS) that measure the ionisation probability for producing the two electrons at specific energies and directions. We wish to measure TDCS in small molecules and heavy atoms very close to threshold and explore the changes induced in them induced by circular dichroism. The production of doubly charged ions via an intermediate state is of particular importance in practical applications. We propose to use a novel coincidence technique to open up a new set of studies in photo-double ionisation that would provide information about the role of high-lying excited states in photo-double ionisation, and the decay paths of the doubly ionised species including molecular dissociation. We would use the new 5D beamline at Daresbury that provides a unique combination of high-flux, high resolution and selectable polarisation.
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