Reaction nanoscopy of ion emission from sub-wavelength propanediol droplets

Abstract Droplets provide unique opportunities for the investigation of laser-induced surface chemistry. Chemical reactions on charged droplets are ubiquitous in nature and can critical insight into more efficient processes industrial chemical production. Here, we demonstrate application reaction nanoscopy technique to strong-field ionized nanodroplets propanediol (PDO). The technique’s sensitivity near-field around droplet allows in-situ characterization average size charge. use ultrashort laser pulses enables control amount charge by intensity. Moreover, comparing isomers 1,2-PDO 1,3-PDO their ion emission fragmentation channels. Referencing yields gas-phase data, find an enhanced production methyl cations from isomer. Density functional theory simulations support that this enhancement is due alignment molecules surface. results pave way towards spatio-temporal observations dynamics droplets.