Studying Ultrafast Internal Conversion Dynamics in Ethylene using ultrafast VUV-XUV pulses

This talk will present our recent efforts to better understand ultrafast internal conversion dynamics in \textit{ethylene }(C$_{2}$H$_{4})$. \textit{Ethylene} is a prototypical double bond molecule. Theoretical calculations predict that after $\pi \quad \to $ $\pi $* excitation (161nm), \textit{ethylene} relaxes to its ground state through two conical intersections. Our recent time resolved photoion yield experiments provide confirmation of these two distinct non-radiative decay paths and their branching ratio in agreement with theoretical predictions. To further understand the elimination channels of molecular hydrogen from the vibrationally hot ground state of C$_{2}$H$_{4}$, our efforts to develop time resolved photoelectron spectroscopy in the VUV-XUV domain will also be discussed.