HFML-FELIX Laboratory (Nijmegen, the Netherlands)

The institute uses the radiation of free electron laser FELIX to study both static and dynamic properties of matter.

Researchers at HFML-FELIX succeeded in determining the infrared fingerprint for this protonated form (C60 H+). Thanks to new measurements they can now add even more detail to this, which should make it a lot easier to detect the molecule in space.
L. Finazzi, V.J. Esposito, J. Palotás, J. Martens, E. Peeters, J. Cami, G. Berden, and J. Oomens, Experimental Determination of the Unusual CH Stretch Frequency of Protonated Fullerenes, Astrophys. J. 971, 168 (2024).

We reported far-infrared spectrum of isolated neutral S₈, under the cold and isolated conditions of a molecular beam. The experimental spectra of the investigated species show a remarkably good agreement with computational modelling, enabling us to predict lower abundance limits for their astronomical detection using the James Webb Space Telescope.
P. Ferrari, G. Berden, B. Redlich, L.B.F.M. Waters & J.M. Bakker, Laboratory infrared spectra and fragmentation chemistry of sulfur allotropes, Nature Commun. 15, 5928 (2024)

In this project we identify the most probable binding position of a vanadium cation on C₆₀ above a pentagon center, demonstrate a high thermal stability for this complex, and explore the bonding nature between C₆₀ and the vanadium cation, revealing that large orbital and electrostatic interactions lie at the origin of the stability of the C₆₀V⁺ complex. (with users from KU Leuven, Belgium)
J. Xu, J.M. Bakker, O.V. Lushchikova, P. Lievens, E. Janssens, & G.-L. Hou, Pentagon, Hexagon, or Bridge? Identifying the Location of a Single Vanadium Cation on Buckminsterfullerene Surface, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145, 22243 (2023).

Our team devised a creative approach to switch magnetization, based on the ultrafast analogue of the Barnett effect. Using infrared pulses of light from the free-electron lasers at FELIX, we drive circular vibrations of the substrate lattice. The substrate then becomes magnetic for a few picoseconds, flipping the magnetization of a thin layer mounted on top of it. (with users from Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University)
C.S. Davies, F.G.N. Fennema, A. Tsukamoto, I. Razdolski, A.V. Kimel and A. Kirilyuk, Phononic switching of magnetization by the ultrafast Barnett effect, Nature 628, 540 (2024).

We have recently demonstrated that an ultrafast excitation in the infrared range can induce permanent all-optical reversal of ferroelectric polarization between different stable states. For this we relied on very specific optical properties that naturally emerge from the solid’s ionic lattice resulting in the demonstrated mechanism of reversal being truly universal, capable of permanently switching order parameters in a wide variety of systems.
M. Kwaaitaal, D. G. Lourens, C. S. Davies & A. Kirilyuk, Epsilon-near-zero regime enables permanent ultrafast all-optical reversal of ferroelectric polarization, Nature Photonics 18, 569 (2024).

Understanding the perplexing links between the quantum domain of individual atoms and the macroscopic world around us represents a monumental challenge in — but not limited to — physics and chemistry. The research agenda of HFML-FELIX aims to solve these grand challenges by studying fascinating phenomena at the detection and resolution limits available. Harnessing some of the unprecedented wavelength span and pulse energies of the suite of free-electron lasers, also in a combination with the world’s highest continuous magnetic fields are the key to discover, visualise, characterise and comprehend, for example, unidentified molecular structures and novel phases of matter.

The following topics broadly represent the research alignment and starting point of the new institution. This has been defined in close collaboration with the HFML-FELIX research team and the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM, Radboud University) and includes the many ongoing collaborations with national partners.

Overview of the research and engineering topic lines

1. Mapping and manipulating quantum phases of matter  
2. Non-equilibrium phases of matter
3. Dynamic self-organisation in soft molecular matter: Fundamental insights from extreme conditions
4. Molecular structure identification and reactivity using advanced infrared spectroscopy
5. Innovative instruments for advanced spectroscopy in high magnetic fields and with intense infrared/THz light

We study small, atomically precise clusters or nanocatalysts, isolated model systems for the active site in catalysis, as well as their products when reacted with substrate molecules. Such particles, generated in-situ, have a countable number of constituent atoms and offer the ability to control the elemental composition with atomic precision. Their well-defined geometric and electronic structures allow to obtain a deep insight in metal-molecule interactions that determine catalytic activity, which in turn are needed for a rational design of future catalyst materials. Using a combination of mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy, we identify the structure of the nanocatalyst themselves as well as the nature of adsorption of substrate molecules. Using complementary quantum chemical calculations, we rationalize the chemical pathways leading to the observed structures, with a focus on the identification of the chemical descriptors for catalyst activity.

RIANA website >>

The nanocatalysis research team focuses on the fundamental studies of catalytic interactions. Important research topics are the CO2 reduction to re-usable fuels, the direct activation of methane providing future low-energy pathways to utilize it as a feedstock, as well as water splitting and NO reduction. All of the activities are ultimately aimed at finding low-energy routes for re-using chemical feedstocks.

ReMade@ARI website >>