A new branch of optical spectroscopy that deals with the optical analogs of spin transients such as NMR is providing unique ways to explore dynamic interactions in optically excited atoms, molecules and solids.
The dynamics of nuclear spins in atomic and molecular environments have been examined in exquisite detail over the past 27 years by the methods of pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance. The early discovery of the spin echo by Erwin Hahn and the transient nutation effect by Henry Torrey initiated the field by introducing coherent transient phenomena to radio-frequency spectroscopy. An entire class of coherent spin transients could be observed by a simple variation of the rf pulse sequence, and from the decay characteristics the various spin‐dephasing mechanisms could be examined separately. In short, these methods allowed decomposition of the spin‐transition linewidth into its broadening components, and also offered new and versatile ways for performing high‐resolution rf spectroscopy.
This article is only available in PDF format
References
1. A. Abragam, The Principles of Nuclear Magnetism, Oxford, London (1961).
2. E. L. Hahn, Phys. Rev. 80, 580 (1950); https://doi.org/PHRVAO PHYSICS TODAY, Nov. 1953, page 4.
9. N. A. Kurnit, I. D. Abella, S. R. Hartmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 13, 567 (1964); https://doi.org/PRLTAO N. A. Kurnit, I. D. Abella, S. R. Hartmann, Phys. Rev. 141, 391 (1966); https://doi.org/PHRVAO S. R. Hartmann, Scientific American, April 1968, page 32.
10. T. J. Aartsma, D. A. Wiersma, Phys. Rev. Lett. 36, 1360 (1976); https://doi.org/PRLTAO A. H. Zewail, T. E. Orlowski, D. R. Dawson, Chem. Phys. Lett. 44, 379 (1976).https://doi.org/CHPLBC
11. R. G. Brewer, R. L. Shoemaker, Phys. Rev. Lett. 27, 631 (1971).https://doi.org/PRLTAO
14. R. G. Brewer, in Proceedings of the Les Houches Summer School Lectures, Volume I, Applications of Lasers to Atomic and Molecular Physics, Les Houches, France, 1975 (R. Balian, S. Haroche, S. Liberman, eds.), North‐Holland (in press).
15. P. R. Berman, J. M. Levy, R. G. Brewer, Phys. Rev. A 11, 1668 (1975).https://doi.org/PLRAAN
Amid growing investment in planetary-scale climate intervention strategies that alter sunlight reflection, global communities deserve inclusive and accountable oversight of research.
Although motivated by the fundamental exploration of the weirdness of the quantum world, the prizewinning experiments have led to a promising branch of quantum computing technology.
As conventional lithium-ion battery technology approaches its theoretical limits, researchers are studying alternative architectures with solid electrolytes.
November 10, 2025 10:22 AM
This Content Appeared In
Volume 30, Number 5
Get PT in your inbox
PT The Week in Physics
A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.
One email per week
PT New Issue Alert
Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.
One email per month
PT Webinars & White Papers
The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.