The laser-induced desorption of CO molecules from a Cu(111) surface is time resolved with 100-fsec resolution. We find the desorption reaction is completed in {≤}325 fsec after the 100-fsec, 2-eV photon energy pump pulse. The only mechanism consistent with this abrupt, efficient ({σ}{~}10¹⁸ cm²) desorption is a novel one: The transient hot substrate electrons (Telectron,max{~}3600 K, while Tlattice,max{~}160 K) drive ImultipleP electronic excitation-deexcitation cycles of the CO-Cu complex within the vibrational relaxation time. This vibrationally pumps the molecules into desorbing.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Prybyla et al. (1992) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: