Ultrafast Time-Resolved X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Ferrioxalate Photolysis with a Laser Plasma X-ray Source and Microcalorimeter Array.

The detailed pathways of photoactivity on ultrafast time scales are a topic of contemporary interest. Using a 'tabletop apparatus based on a laser plasma X-ray source and an array of cryogenic microcalorimeter X-ray detectors, we measured a transient X-ray absorption spectrum during the ferrioxalate photoreduction reaction. With these high-efficiency detectors, we observe the Fe K edge move to lower energies and the amplitude of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure reduce, consistent with a photoreduction mechanism in which electron transfer precedes disassociation. These results are compared to previously published transient X-ray absorption measurements on the same reaction and found to be consistent with the results from Ogi et al. and inconsistent with the results of Chen et al. (Ogi, Y.; et al. Struct. Dyn. 2015, 2, 034901; Chen, J.; Zhang, H.; Tomov, I. V.; Ding, X.; Rentzepis, P. M. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2007, 437, 50-55). We provide quantitative limits on the Fe-O bond length change. Finally, we review potential improvements to our measurement technique, highlighting the future potential of tabletop X-ray science using microcalorimeter sensors.