HEXTOF at FLASH - Merging time-resolved photoemission techniques into a new instrument

HEXTOP Setup

3D model of the HEXTOF setup (Credits: H. Meyer, S. Gieschen (Univ. Hamburg) and D. Kutnyakhov (DESY)).

Main measurement chamber (front part) with sample stage (right), two drift tubes with retractable spin-filter (coming from back). Beam comes from front through horizontal port. Preparation chamber (behind main chamber) with vertical manipulator and load-lock (Please enlarge the figure (+) to get more information).

photoemission spectrum

Dynamics in the photoemission spectrum of WSe2. (Credit: D. Kutnyakhov)

(Left side) Momentum- and time-integrated photoemission spectrum recorded with HEXTOF at FLASH using FEL pulses at 109.5 eV. The W 4f and the Se 3d core levels lie about 33 eV and 55 eV below the Fermi level, respectively. (Top right inset) Volumetric rendering of the trMM measurements before (Pump off) and after (Pump on) optical excitation with 775 nm pulses as pump and 36.5 eV soft X-ray pulses as probe, showing concurrent dynamics in the WSe2 conduction bands. Changes are marked, with transient conduction band populations enhanced for visualization. (Bottom right inset) trXPS measurements of the Se 3d core level doublet (data integrated in both momenta components), whereas trXPD measurements of the Se 3d core level can be extracted from this data (data integrated in energy, but momentum-resolved).

In the quest to gain predictive understanding of the functionality of condensed matter systems, the energy and momentum analysis of photoemitted electrons provide the most direct insights. Time-resolved photoemission in combination with the high-repetition rate of the free-electron laser FLASH at DESY enables now to probe the sub-picosecond dynamics of systems at the new versatile instrument for high energy X-ray time-of-flight (HEXTOF) measurements. In particular low-dimensional materials, molecular crystals, and quantum materials can be investigated.

HEXTOF merges three photoemission spectroscopy techniques into a single setup, namely time-resolved momentum microscopy (trMM), time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (trXPS), and time-resolved X-ray photoelectron diffraction (trXPD). “Traditionally, these experiments are carried out using separate instruments. However, we managed to combine all three techniques into the same instrument. The combination with pump-probe schemes of FLASH extends the available range for measurements into the sub-picosecond time domain.” explains DESY scientist Dmytro Kutnyakhov.

With this instrument the two momenta of photoelectrons transversal to the sample surface can be measured simultaneously (trMM) typically from the valence and conduction bands of materials. Furthermore, it is possible to investigate the dynamics of electronic core levels (trXPS) or momentum-resolved changes in the coherent photoelectron scattering with bulk and surface (trXPD). 

The HEXTOF instrument features full-field momentum-resolved imaging and time-of-flight energy recording in the so called ‘momentum microscope’ for direct mapping of multidimensional electronic structures. An experimental energy resolution of 130 meV, a momentum resolution of 0.06 Å−1, and a system response function of 150 fs could be achieved. It includes also a sample preparation chamber and corresponding characterisation tools. The overall performance was demonstrated by investigating the carrier dynamics in a model system of layered semiconductors – tungsten diselenide (WSe2). 

HEXTOF is routinely used at the PG2 beamline at FLASH for pump probe photoemission studies, as well as - in between FLASH beamtimes - with a table-top high harmonic laser source in the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) to perform either sample pre-characterisation before FLASH beamtimes or independent research activities.

 

Original Publication: 

Time- and momentum-resolved photoemission studies using time-of-flight momentum microscopy at a free-electron laser; by D. Kutnyakhov, R. P. Xian, M. Dendzik, M. Heber, F. Pressacco, S. Y. Agustsson, L. Wenthaus, H. Meyer, S. Gieschen, G. Mercurio, A. Benz, K. Bühlman, S. Däster, R. Gort, D. Curcio, K. Volckaert, M. Bianchi, C. Sanders, J. A.Miwa, S. Ulstrup, A. Oelsner, C. Tusche, Y.-J. Chen, D. Vasilyev, K. Medjanik, G. Brenner, S. Dziarzhytski, H. Redlin, B. Manschwetus, S.u Dong, J. Hauer, L. Rettig, F. Diekmann, K. Rossnagel, J. Demsar, H. Elmers, P. Hofmann, R. Ernstorfer, G. Schönhense, Y. Acremann, and W. Wurth; Review of Scientific Instruments,  2020; DOI; http://doi.org/10.1063/1.5118777