Imaging Clusters and Their Dynamics with Single-shot Coherent Diffraction

Abstract

Coherent diffraction imaging with short-wavelength free-electron lasers has opened up the possiblity to determine the structure of especially fragile, short-lived or unique nanoscale particles within a single irradiation. It has also enabled novel approaches for investigating intense laser–matter interaction with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Atomic clusters are ideal model systems for such investigations, thanks to their simple electronic structure and their highly controllable composition and morphology. This chapter aims at providing a comprehensible, but comprehensive, introduction to the research field of coherent diffraction imaging of clusters, guiding the reader through the details of single-shot single-particle coherent diffraction experiments, the fundamental building blocks of the data analysis and the theoretical foundations for the interpretation of the results. The discussion is accompanied by references to the most up to date scientific works and reviews on the different topics, with a final focus on the promising outlook of coherent diffraction imaging of clusters with intense attosecond pulses.