Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ASPIRE (Angular studies of photoelectrons in innovative research environments)
Période du rapport: 2018-03-01 au 2020-02-29
The first work package was explicitly focused on the goal of measuring molecular frame photoelectron angular distribution (PAD) from complex molecules. Progress in this work package was informed by technological developments made in work packages 2 and 3; this cross talk occurred through secondments of the ESRs. Six ESRs were primarily assigned to the delivery of this work package, with contributions from the other six ESRs. Their projects ranged from laser- and synchrotron-based experiments on chiral molecules; measurements of PADs following the dissociative ionization of small molecules; measurements of PAD following the ionization of molecules that have been aligned by interaction with intense laser pulses and development of a new apparatus in which to perform experiments on molecules embedded in helium droplets.
The second work package concerned the development and integration of laser and advanced light source techniques and two ESRs were primarily assigned to the delivery of this work package, with contributions from two of the ESRs primarily assigned to the first work package. The projects included the development of a novel laser system; the design of a new beamline; the development of a new technique to create strongly field-free aligned molecules in helium nanodroplets; and the development of a new optical configuration for impulsive alignment and orientation of molecular samples.
The third work package concerned the development and integration of detection technologies. This work was largely carried out in laboratories of the project's SME partners, Roentdek & Photek, by the two ESRs that had been recruited by these companies. Projects have included the successful development of new detection software and the evaluation of a new detection system. The ESR based at Photek has developed a multidimensional imaging detector and the technology will be incorporated in a commercial detector. This ESR will be staying on as a Photek employee to oversee the development of this new product.
Throughout the course of the ASPIRE project a strong sense of community has been developed both between the ESRs and with the scientists at the beneficiary and partner organisations. This sense of community has served to strengthen both scientific and professional collaborations. This has been assisted by regular secondments of ESRs to organizations within the network, and by regular network meetings (both physical and virtual). Team building formed an important activity at network meetings and was highly valued by the ESRs. The ESRs established online discussions and a journal club which they ran independently of their supervisors. They also contributed to outreach through the creation and dissemination of online blogs to communicate their research.
Research leaders and ESRs have participated in and disseminated their research results at numerous national and international conferences which has enabled our research to contribute to the state-of-the-art and develop connections to other leading international research teams in the field. We have sought to disseminate the highlights of the ASPIRE project to the general public through blogs written by the ESRs and hosted on the ASPIRE website. The eventual societal impact of the research in terms of the design of new medicines and materials is extremely long term and expected to occur long after the conclusion of this project.