# Detecting coherent core-hole wave-packet dynamics in N2 by time- and angle-resolved inner-shell photoelectron spectroscopy

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel imaging technique using attosecond x-ray pulses to observe core-hole wave-packet oscillations in N2 molecules by analyzing photoelectron angular correlations.

## Contribution

The work presents a new method to visualize core-hole dynamics in molecules through time- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, supported by analytical and scattering calculations.

## Key findings

- Analytical relations for angular correlation derived
- Validation with scattering calculations confirms feasibility
- Discussion on experimental realization with x-ray free-electron lasers

## Abstract

We propose an imaging technique to follow core-hole wave-packet oscillations in the nitrogen molecule. In this scheme, an attosecond x-ray pulse core-ionizes the nitrogen molecule and a subsequent attosecond x-ray pulse probes the evolution of the electron dynamics. We can image the oscillation of the core-hole between the two atomic sites by measuring the angular correlation between photoelectrons. Analytical relations for the angular correlation are derived based on the plane-wave approximation for the photoelectron wave function. We validate these results with a scattering calculation for the photoelectron wave function. The feasibility of the experimental realization of this scheme is discussed in light of current and future capabilities of x-ray free-electron lasers.