Abstract
We report the discovery of the formation of an electron Cooper pair approximately 40 eV above the double-ionization threshold in benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and coronene after absorption of a single photon. We have measured the ratios of doubly to singly charged parent ions of the above mentioned molecules as well as pyrrole and furan by using monochromatized synchrotron radiation up to 100 eV above the corresponding thresholds. We also recorded photoelectron spectra of benzene and naphthalene at selected energies. The electron-pair formation is based on the specific structure of the molecules and does not exist for pyrrole and furan.
- Received 15 May 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.193001
© 2012 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Carbon Rings Allow Brief Electron Hook Ups
Published 5 November 2012
Ionization experiments with benzene and similar organic molecules show evidence for short-lived electronic couplings, which resemble the Cooper pairs that carry current in superconductors.
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