Field-Induced Electron Generation in Water: Solvation Dynamics and Many-Body Interactions

TL;DR

This paper explores how external terahertz fields influence the generation and dynamics of solvated electrons in water, emphasizing the role of many-body interactions and electric field fluctuations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of terahertz fields on electron solvation dynamics and discusses polaronic many-body properties of solvated electrons in water.

Findings

Electric field fluctuations significantly affect electron generation.

Terahertz fields can modulate charge transfer and localization.

Many-body interactions are crucial for understanding solvated electron behavior.

Abstract

The solvated electron represents an elementary quantum system in a liquid environment. Electrons solvated in water have raised strong interest because of their prototypical properties, their role in radiation chemistry, and their relevance for charge separation and transport. Nonequilibrium dynamics of photogenerated electrons in water occur on ultrafast time scales and include charge transfer, localization, and energy dissipation processes. We present new insight in the role of fluctuating electric fields of the liquid for generating electrons in presence of an external terahertz field and address polaronic many-body properties of solvated electrons. The article combines a review of recent results from experiment and theory with a discussion of basic electric interactions of electrons in water.