Metastable structure of photoexcited WO$_{3}$ determined by the pump--probe extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and constrained thorough search analysis

TL;DR

This study reveals the local structural changes in photoexcited WO$_3$ using advanced X-ray spectroscopy, uncovering a highly distorted octahedral structure with unexpected bond length alterations.

Contribution

It introduces a combined experimental and computational approach to determine the metastable structure of photoexcited WO$_3$, highlighting unexpected bond length changes.

Findings

Identification of a highly distorted WO$_3$ local structure

Observation of a shortened W=O bond to 1.66 Å

Contradiction with theoretical predictions

Abstract

We have determined the local structure of photoexcited metastable WO$_3$ created 150 ps after 400 nm laser irradiation by the pulse pump--probe L$_3$-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and the constrained thorough search analysis. We have found a highly distorted octahedral local structure with one of the shortest W=O bonds being further shortened to 1.66 \AA while the other five bonds were elongated even though theoretical calculations predicted the reverse change. We discuss this contradiction and propose a possible structure for the metastable state.