Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Course Aim

This course provides an overview of modern methods and applications in ultrafast spectroscopy.

Course Description

Discover and use the techniques of ultrafast spectroscopy with an overview of modern methods and applications. Through exercises and presentations, explore the basic concepts underlying sub-picosecond phenomena in nature (ultrafast chemical processes, femtosecond electron dynamics in materials, etc.) and the tools used to study such phenomena (pump-probe spectroscopy, Terahertz time domain spectroscopy, etc.).  Use these tools and techniques to perform measurements in the laboratory. Confirm these concepts through regular exercise sets and a final presentation.

Course Contents

Introduction, History and Development:
Basic Concepts
Understanding Ultrafast Pulses:
Spectrum, Fourier Transform, Uncertainty Principle, wavelength, repetition rate
Understanding Ultrafast Pulses & Capabilities:
Time Resolution, Nonlinearities,
Ultrafast pulse measurement: Spectrum, Phase, Amplitude, Intensity
Ultrafast pulse measurement: AutoCorrelation, FROG, SPIDER
Ultrafast Techniques: Pump Probe, Four-Wave Mixing, or others.
Ultrafast Techniques: Time Resolved Fluorescence, Up-converstion, or others.
Ultrafast Techniques: THz-TDS, Higher Harmonic Generation, or others.
Ultrafast Techniques: Single Shot Measurements, etc.
Applications: e.g. Condensed Matter Physics
Applications: e.g. Chemistry and Materials Science
Applications: e.g. Biology

Assessment

Homework and Exercises, 80%; End of Class Presentation, 20%

Prerequisites or Prior Knowledge

B11, A203

Notes

Enrollment cap of 8 students

Research Specialties