Sub‐picosecond spectroscopy

MAY 01, 1978

Examples of ultrafast photoprocesses now being studied include vibrational dynamics of molecules, primary photobiological mechanisms and electronic processes in semiconductors.

DOI: 10.1063/1.2995037

Erich P. Ippen

Charles V. Shank

Ever since Man first became interested in movements and events that occurred too rapidly for his eye to follow, short flashes of light have been used to isolate moments of time. Each time shorter light pulses have become available, new areas of research have opened up, and new types of ultafast processes have become amenable to study. Spark photography can freeze the most rapid movement of macroscopic objects with flashes a tenth of a microsecond in duration. High‐speed flashlamps and electronics play an important role in the study of fast photophysical and photochemical reactions with a resolution of a tenth of a nanosecond— $10^{−10} \sec .$ The last decade has seen dramatic advances in the development of short laser pulses and their application to the study of picosecond phenomena. Now, the extension of this technology into the sub‐picosecond ${(10}^{−13} \sec)$ regime offers exciting possibilities for accurate studies of previously unresolved, ultrafast photoprocesses in physics, chemistry and biology. Investigations are being extended to such diverse and important topics as the vibrational dynamics of molecules and lattices, primary photobiological mechanisms and picosecond electronic processes in semiconductors.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

1. A. J. DeMaria, D. A. Stetster, H. Heynau, Appl. Phys. Lett. 8, 22 (1966).https://doi.org/APPLAB
2. See contributions to Ultrashort Light Pulses (S. L. Shapiro, ed.), Springer‐Verlag, 1977.
3. W. Schmidt, F. P. Schäfer, Phys. Lett. 26A, 558 (1968).
4. E. P. Ippen, C. V. Shank, A. Dienes, Appl. Phys. Lett. 21, 348 (1972).https://doi.org/APPLAB
5. E. P. Ippen, C. V. Shank, Appl. Phys. Lett., 27, 488 (1975).https://doi.org/APPLAB
6. I. S. Ruddock, D. J. Bradley, Appl. Phys. Lett. 29, 296 (1976).https://doi.org/APPLAB
7. M. A. Duguay, in Progress in Optics XIV, (E. Wolf ed.), North Holland (1976); page 163.
8. E. P. Ippen, C. V. Shank, Appl. Phys. Lett. 26, 92 (1975).https://doi.org/APPLAB
9. H. Mahr, M. D. Hirsch, Optic Commun. 13, 96 (1975).https://doi.org/OPCOB8
10. C. V. Shank, E. P. Ippen, O. Teschke, Chem. Phys. Lett. 45, 291 (1977).https://doi.org/CHPLBC
11. R. R. Alfano, S. L. Shapiro, Chem. Phys. Lett., 3, 407 (1971).https://doi.org/CHPLBC
12. P. M. Rentzepis, Chem. Phys. Lett. 2, 117 (1968).https://doi.org/CHPLBC
13. C. V. Shank, E. P. Ippen, R. Bersohn, Science, 193, 50 (1976).https://doi.org/SCIEAS
14. K. J. Kaufmann, P. M. Rentzepis, W. Stoeckenius, A. Lewis, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 68, 1109 (1976).https://doi.org/BBRCA9
15. A. Lewis, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 2 (1978).https://doi.org/PNASA6
16. Z. A. Yasa, A. Dienes, J. R. Whinnery, Appl. Phys. Lett. 30, 24 (1977).https://doi.org/APPLAB
17. R. K. Jain, J. P. Heritage, Appl. Phys. Lett. 32, 41 (1978).https://doi.org/APPLAB
18. J. P. Heritage, R. K. Jain, Appl. Phys. Lett. 32, 101 (1978).https://doi.org/APPLAB

More about the Authors

Erich P. Ippen. Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, N.J..

Charles V. Shank. Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, N.J..