CHAPTER 15:Ultrafast Time Structure Imprints in Complex Chemical and Biochemical Reactions

The unique properties of free-electron lasers (FELs) allow for the systematic study and precise characterization of electronic and structural chemical and biochemical reactions in space and time—from minutes to femtosecond time resolution. Rationalizing the ultra-fast behaviour in the chemical reactions of unimolecular reactions (reactions of one type of molecule), allows entirely new types of opto-electronic devices (such as solar cells or organic light emitting diodes) to be constructed. In bimolecular reactions (with two types of molecules), FELs allow for entirely new types of electronic and structural characterization schemes.