Analysis of the ultrafast dynamics of the silver trimer upon photodetachment

We study the ultrafast dynamics of Ag-3 clusters immediately after the photodetachment of Ag-3(-) by performing molecular dynamics simulations based on a microscopic electronic theory. We determine the time scale for the change from the linear (initial situation) to a triangular structure (potential minimum) of the ground state of Ag-3. Our results are in good agreement with experiment. We show how the time dependence of the internal degrees of freedom is reflected in the 'pump and probe' signal. Furthermore, we discuss the application of our results to magnetic systems and chemical reactions.