Abstract
The coupling between electronic states in a surface-adsorbate system is fundamental to the understanding of many surface interactions. In this Letter, we present the first direct time-resolved observations of the lifetime of core-excited states of an atom adsorbed onto a surface. By comparing laser-assisted photoemission from a substrate with a delayed Auger decay process from an adsorbate, we measure the lifetime of the core level of xenon on Pt(111) to be . This result opens up time-domain measurements of surface dynamics where energy-resolved measurements may provide incomplete information.
- Received 28 March 2008
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.046101
©2008 American Physical Society