@misc{LeverMayerMetjeetal.2021, author = {Lever, Fabiano and Mayer, Dennis and Metje, Jan and Alisauskas, Skirmantas and Calegari, Francesca and D{\"u}sterer, Stefan and Feifel, Raimund and Niebuhr, Mario and Manschwetus, Bastian and Kuhlmann, Marion and Mazza, Tommaso and Robinson, Matthew Scott and Squibb, Richard J. and Trabattoni, Andrea and Wallner, M{\aa}ns and Wolf, Thomas J. A. and G{\"u}hr, Markus}, title = {Core-level spectroscopy of 2-thiouracil at the sulfur L1 and L2,3 edges utilizing a SASE free-electron-laser}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {21}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-52409}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-524091}, pages = {13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this paper, we report X-ray absorption and core-level electron spectra of the nucleobase derivative 2-thiouracil at the sulfur L1- and L2,3-edges. We used soft X-rays from the free-electron laser FLASH2 for the excitation of isolated molecules and dispersed the outgoing electrons with a magnetic bottle spectrometer. We identified photoelectrons from the 2p core orbital, accompanied by an electron correlation satellite, as well as resonant and non-resonant Coster-Kronig and Auger-Meitner emission at the L1- and L2,3-edges, respectively. We used the electron yield to construct X-ray absorption spectra at the two edges. The experimental data obtained are put in the context of the literature currently available on sulfur core-level and 2-thiouracil spectroscopy.}, language = {en} } @article{LeverMayerMetjeetal.2021, author = {Lever, Fabiano and Mayer, Dennis and Metje, Jan and Alisauskas, Skirmantas and Calegari, Francesca and D{\"u}sterer, Stefan and Feifel, Raimund and Niebuhr, Mario and Manschwetus, Bastian and Kuhlmann, Marion and Mazza, Tommaso and Robinson, Matthew Scott and Squibb, Richard J. and Trabattoni, Andrea and Wallner, M{\aa}ns and Wolf, Thomas J. A. and G{\"u}hr, Markus}, title = {Core-level spectroscopy of 2-thiouracil at the sulfur L1 and L2,3 edges utilizing a SASE free-electron-laser}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {26}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {21}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-3049}, pages = {11}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this paper, we report X-ray absorption and core-level electron spectra of the nucleobase derivative 2-thiouracil at the sulfur L1- and L2,3-edges. We used soft X-rays from the free-electron laser FLASH2 for the excitation of isolated molecules and dispersed the outgoing electrons with a magnetic bottle spectrometer. We identified photoelectrons from the 2p core orbital, accompanied by an electron correlation satellite, as well as resonant and non-resonant Coster-Kronig and Auger-Meitner emission at the L1- and L2,3-edges, respectively. We used the electron yield to construct X-ray absorption spectra at the two edges. The experimental data obtained are put in the context of the literature currently available on sulfur core-level and 2-thiouracil spectroscopy.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Lever2022, author = {Lever, Fabiano}, title = {Probing the ultrafast dynamics of 2-Thiouracil with soft x-rays}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-55523}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-555230}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {129}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Understanding the changes that follow UV-excitation in thionucleobases is of great importance for the study of light-induced DNA lesions and, in a broader context, for their applications in medicine and biochemistry. Their ultrafast photophysical reactions can alter the chemical structure of DNA - leading to damages to the genetic code - as proven by the increased skin cancer risk observed for patients treated with thiouracil for its immunosuppressant properties. In this thesis, I present four research papers that result from an investigation of the ultrafast dynamics of 2-thiouracil by means of ultrafast x-ray probing combined with electron spectroscopy. A molecular jet in the gas phase is excited with a uv pulse and then ionized with x-ray radiation from a Free Electron Laser. The kinetic energy of the emitted electrons is measured in a magnetic bottle spectrometer. The spectra of the measured photo and Auger electrons are used to derive a picture of the changes in the geometrical and electronic configurations. The results allow us to look at the dynamical processes from a new perspective, thanks to the element- and site- sensitivity of x-rays. The custom-built URSA-PQ apparatus used in the experiment is described. It has been commissioned and used at the FL24 beamline of the FLASH2 FEL, showing an electron kinetic energy resolution of ∆E/E ~ 40 and a pump-probe timing resolution of 190 f s. X-ray only photoelectron and Auger spectra of 2-thiouracil are extracted from the data and used as reference. Photoelectrons following the formation a 2p core hole are identified, as well as resonant and non-resonant Auger electrons. At the L 1 edge, Coster-Kronig decay is observed from the 2s core hole. The UV-induced changes in the 2p photoline allow the study the electronic-state dynamics. With the use of an Excited-State Chemical Shift (ESCS) model, we observe a ultrafast ground-state relaxation within 250 f s. Furthermore, an oscillation with a 250 f s period is observed in the 2p binding energy, showing a coherent population exchange between electronic states. Auger electrons from the 2p core hole are analyzed and used to deduce a ultrafast C -S bond expansion on a sub 100 f s scale. A simple Coulomb-model, coupled to quantum chemical calculations, can be used to infer the geometrical changes in the molecular structure.}, language = {en} }