The Advent of Ultrafast X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The impressive recent progress in ultrafast X-ray sources, such as free electron lasers (FEL), high harmonic generation (HHG) and betatron facilities, has finally made accessible sub-picosecond time resolved X-ray experiments to researchers. This technological revolution is having a profound impact in scientific research. Breakthrough investigation tools are available for studying ultrafast phenomena in matter that were not even predictable just ten years ago. This is undoubtedly a unique opportunity to examine unexplored ultrafast dynamics in molecules and condensed matter, with significant impact in many disciplines such as, for example, structural biology, high energy density matter, rechargeable batteries, photocatalysis, electrochemistry. This could be the start of a new era for science.

In this exciting context, the X-ray absorption (XAS) technique plays a primary role. XAS exhibits a unique chemical selectivity that permits the investigation of both the electronic structure and local atomic arrangement of selected atomic species in molecules and condensed matter. Improving the remarkable XAS insight into matter with the outstanding sub-picosecond time resolution now achievable, results in a powerful technique capable of monitoring with unprecedented accuracy both ultrafast structural dynamics at the atomic scale and rearrangement of the electronic structure of selected atomic elements.

The aim of this special topic, is to encompass experimental and theoretical methods, recent technological advances, novel approaches, involving time resolved XAS (tr-XAS) techniques. The special topic will aggregate contributions of expert scholars from different research fields, addressing limits and advantages of tr-XAS as well as peculiarities of diverse ultrafast X-ray sources. The resulting collection of papers would be a precious informative reference for the young tr-XAS community, thus promoting the development of the tr-XAS technique and encouraging emerging tr-XAS based research.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

Guest Editors

Emiliano Principi, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.

How to Submit:

• Please submit through the journal’s online submission system. You may need to create an account if you do not already have one.
• During the submission process you will be asked if your manuscript is part of a special topic. Please answer “Yes” and select “The Advent of Ultrafast X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy” from the subsequent drop-down menu.