Mainz 2026 – scientific programme

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AKjDPG: Arbeitskreis junge DPG

AKjDPG 3: Free-Electron Lasers

AKjDPG 3.1: Tutorial

Sunday, March 1, 2026, 16:00–16:45, C 02

Opportunities for experiments on atoms, molecules and clusters at the European X-Ray Free Electron Laser — •Michael Meyer — European XFEL, Schenefeld, Germany

The unique characteristics of X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs), especially the high intensity (up to 10¹⁹ W/cm²) and the short duration (down to the sub-femtosecond regime) of the generated X-ray pulses, open access to various new research opportunities for investigations of atoms, molecules, ions and nanoparticles. Using typical recent experiments as showcase, the tutorial will illustrate which novel information is obtained for example in studies of multi-photon processes in the short wavelength regime and how dynamical information can be extracted from site-specific time-resolved pump-probe experiments.

The relevant instrumentation, required experimental conditions and important photon beam parameters enabling this type of studies will be presented and discussed, taking the Small Quantum Systems (SQS) scientific instrument at the European XFEL as example. In the presentation, strong emphasis will be given to provide a basic guideline for successful experiments, addressing especially new users of FEL facilities. Practical information about the experimental infrastructure available to users as well as the operational support provided by the facility to the researchers for the preparation, execution and subsequent analysis of an experimental campaigns will be outlined.

Keywords: Free Electron Lasers; Multi-Photon Processes; Ultrafast Phenomena; Time-resolved spectroscopy; Femto- and Attosecond X-ray pulses