Bayesian Analysis of Femtosecond Pump-Probe Photoelectron-Photoion Coincidence Spectra with Fluctuating Laser Intensities

Pascal Heim, Michael Rumetshofer, Sascha Ranftl, Bernhard Thaler, Wolfgang E. Ernst, Markus Koch, Wolfgang von der Linden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper employs Bayesian probability theory for analyzing data generated in femtosecond pump-probe photoelectron-photoion coincidence (PEPICO) experiments. These experiments allow investigating ultrafast dynamical processes in photoexcited molecules. Bayesian probability theory is consistently applied to data analysis problems occurring in these types of experiments such as background subtraction and false coincidences. We previously demonstrated that the Bayesian formalism has many advantages, amongst which are compensation of false coincidences, no overestimation of pump-only contributions, significantly increased signal-to-noise ratio, and applicability to any experimental situation and noise statistics. Most importantly, by accounting for false coincidences, our approach allows running experiments at higher ionization rates, resulting in an appreciable reduction of data acquisition times. In addition to our previous paper, we include fluctuating laser intensities, of which the straightforward implementation highlights yet another advantage of the Bayesian formalism. Our method is thoroughly scrutinized by challenging mock data, where we find a minor impact of laser fluctuations on false coincidences, yet a noteworthy influence on background subtraction. We apply our algorithm to data obtained in experiments and discuss the impact of laser fluctuations on the data analysis.
Original languageEnglish
Article number93
JournalEntropy
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Bayesian data analysis
  • Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy
  • PEPICO
  • Photoelectron-photoion coincidence
  • Ultrafast molecular dynamics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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