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Time-resolved X-ray methods are widely used for monitoring transient intermediates over the course of photochemical reactions. Ultrafast X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies as well as elastic X-ray scattering deliver detailed electronic and structural information on chemical dynamics in the solution phase. In this work, we describe the opportunities at the Femtosecond X-ray Experiments (FXE) instrument of European XFEL. Guided by the idea of combining spectroscopic and scattering techniques in one experiment, the FXE instrument has completed the initial commissioning phase for most of its components and performed first successful experiments within the baseline capabilities. This is demonstrated by its currently 115 fs (FWHM) temporal resolution to acquire ultrafast X-ray emission spectra by simultaneously recording iron Kα and Kβ lines, next to wide angle X-ray scattering patterns on a photoexcited aqueous solution of [Fe(bpy)3]2+, a transition metal model compound.

The European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL) delivers extremely intense (>1012 photons pulse−1 and up to 27000 pulses s−1), ultrashort (<100 fs) and transversely coherent X-ray radiation, at a repetition rate of up to 4.5 MHz. Its unique X-ray beam parameters enable novel and groundbreaking experiments in ultrafast photochemistry and material sciences at the Femtosecond X-ray Experiments (FXE) scientific instrument. This paper provides an overview of the currently implemented experimental baseline instrumentation and its performance during the commissioning phase, and a preview of planned improvements. FXE's versatile instrumentation combines the simultaneous application of forward X-ray scattering and X-ray spectroscopy techniques with femtosecond time resolution. These methods will eventually permit exploitation of wide-angle X-ray scattering studies and X-ray emission spectroscopy, along with X-ray absorption spectroscopy, including resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and X-ray Raman scattering. A suite of ultrafast optical lasers throughout the UV–visible and near-IR ranges (extending up to mid-IR in the near future) with pulse length down to 15 fs, synchronized to the X-ray source, serve to initiate dynamic changes in the sample. Time-delayed hard X-ray pulses in the 5–20 keV range are used to probe the ensuing dynamic processes using the suite of X-ray probe tools. FXE is equipped with a primary monochromator, a primary and secondary single-shot spectrometer, and a timing tool to correct the residual timing jitter between laser and X-ray pulses.

Based on the hadronic model with the gauge prescription suggested by Ohta and Haberzettl, we investigate the possibility of determining the parity state of the Θ + baryon using photon induced processes, γn → K − Θ + and γp →K 0 Θ + . The total and differential cross sections are simulated in two versions of pseudovector(PV) and pseudoscalar(PS) coupling schemes and the results are reported both on the positive and negative parity states of the Θ + baryon. It is found that in both coupling schemes the total cross sections from the neutron target are in general larger than those from the proton target, regardless of the Θ + parities. The cross sections of the Θ + production however depend largely on the value of the Θ + decay width which is not yet well established. Moreover, there is a wide theoretical uncertainty associated with the different assumption on the gauge prescription in model calculations. We discuss these points by comparing theoretical predictions with the existing experimental data. Our analysis suggests that the observation of the angular distribution rather than just the total cross section in the photoproduction process may be a useful tool to distinguish the parity of the Θ + baryon.

The contribution of the tensor meson $K_2^*(1430)$ exchange in the process $\gamma p\to K^+\Lambda(\Sigma^0)$ is investigated within the Regge framework. Inclusion of the $K_2^*$ exchange in the $K(494)+K^*(892)$ exchanges with the coupling constants chosen from the SU(3) symmetry leads to a better description of the production mechanism without referring to any fitting procedure. This shows the significance of the role of the tensor meson exchange to have the Regge theory basically free of parameters with the SU(3) symmetry a good approximation for the meson-baryon couplings.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 2 table