title: How to observe coherent electron dynamics directly.
abstract: Detection of electron motion by elastic scattering of short x-ray pulses from a coherent superposition of highly excited electronic states in rare gas atoms is investigated. The laser excitation of the electron wave packet introduces strong anisotropy which facilitates detection, and large differences in the radial distribution of the excited Rydberg and core electrons allow the dynamics to be detected using both soft and hard x rays.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Henri J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirrander