Dr. Aaron Laforge, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut

Ultrafast interatomic decay processes induced by quantum fluid dynamics

Weakly-bound complexes are unique systems to study XUV-mediated decay processes since energy can either be internally converted or exchanged with a neighboring atom or molecule. For larger nanoscale systems, the local environment also plays a critical role in the various interatomic processes. Here, I will discuss how the formation and dynamics of "bubbles" around excited atoms in helium nanodroplets can dramatically enhance interatomic decay. Furthermore, I will discuss how these processes can also be applied to other fluids such as water.