The Photoionization Time in π-Conjugated Molecular Systems.

The photoionization time of C2H4 is calculated as a model for π-conjugated molecular systems. Analytical results are obtained using the Wigner phase delay, which is compared with energy-streaking measurements. We find that, although the ionization time averaged over nuclear configurations compares well in the two measures, the dependence on the nuclear configuration is different. Interference between different ionization pathways depends significantly on the molecular geometry and the ionizing electron energy and may lead to qualitative changes in the ionization time.