Two-color x-ray pump x-ray probe study of the core-hole decay dynamics in XeF$_{2}$*

To resolve the femtosecond inner-shell dynamics and the subsequent induced electron transfer in a molecule, the core-hole decay dynamics in XeF$_{2}$ have been directly studied using femtosecond time-resolved x-ray pump x-ray probe ion-ion coincidence imaging. Inner-shell photoionization of Xe triggers core-hole decay that is initially localized but subsequently involves delocalized valence electrons. Charge is distributed to neighboring atoms and the system Coulomb explodes. The processes proceed concurrently on the femtosecond time scale. XeF$_{2}$ is a very interesting molecule, as it allows us to compare the molecular core-hole decay with the atomic case, Xe atom.