Novel Feature of Liquid Dynamics via Improvements in meV-Resolution Inelastic X-Ray Scattering

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how enhanced meV-resolution in inelastic x-ray scattering reveals interactions between dynamical modes in liquid water, resolving longstanding spectral controversies and enabling new mesoscale liquid studies.

Contribution

It introduces improved IXS methodology and reexamines older theory to clarify liquid water's spectral features and mode interactions.

Findings

Identification of interaction between quasi-elastic and acoustic modes in water

Resolution of a decades-old spectral controversy

Foundation for exploring new mesoscale phenomena in liquids

Abstract

We describe how improvements in methodology and instrumentation for meV-resolved inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS), coupled with a fresh examination of older theory, allow identification of interaction between the quasi-elastic and acoustic dynamical modes in liquid water. This helps explain a decades old controversy about the appearance of additional modes in water spectra, and provides a strong base from which to discuss new phenomena in liquids on the mesoscale.