X-ray Scattering

Time-resolved X-ray Solution Scattering

In time-resolved X-ray solution scattering (TRXSS), we apply a combination of a laser pulse and an X-ray pulse. A chemical reaction is initiated by the laser pulse, and the progress of the reaction is monitored by the time-delayed laser pulse. By making use of the structural sensitivity of X-ray scattering and the superb time resolution of the laser and X-ray pulses, we can probe the structural dynamics of reacting molecules in real time.

The below figure shows an example of time-resolved X-ray solution scattering experiment applied to a small molecule, C2H4I2. The difference scattering curve is obtained by taking the difference between a scattering curve measured at a positive time delay and the one measured at a negative time delay. This difference scattering curve contains only the information of the change in the molecular structure induced by the chemical reaction with all other background contributions eliminated. By analyzing the difference scattering curve, we can analyze the structural information of the reacting molecule at an instant.