Ultrafast formation of hydrated electrons in water at high concentration: experimental evidence of the free electron

Using a time-resolved optical interferometric technique, we investigate the ultrafast primary events following the interaction of an ultrashort laser pulse with pure water in the TW/cm2 regime. Because our method is sensitive to the quasi-instantaneous electron energy level position, we demonstrate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental and theoretical physics 2014, Vol.145 (3)
Main Authors: Palianov, P., Martín, F., Pommeret, S., Quéré, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Physics
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Summary:Using a time-resolved optical interferometric technique, we investigate the ultrafast primary events following the interaction of an ultrashort laser pulse with pure water in the TW/cm2 regime. Because our method is sensitive to the quasi-instantaneous electron energy level position, we demonstrate that in contrast to the well-known low-intensity regime, where the free electrons are instantaneously captured by pre-existing traps, in this new regime of excitation, free electrons are clearly observed, exhibiting a substantial contribution in the near IR. The delayed localization is attributed to the saturation of pre-existing cavities in the liquid by the large number of the excited electron states created.
ISSN:1063-7761
1090-6509
DOI:10.7868/S0044451014030185