Ultrafast Spectroscopy
This course provides an overview of modern methods and applications in ultrafast spectroscopy.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Explain the principles of ultrafast spectroscopy and sub-picosecond phenomena.
Analyze ultrafast pulse characteristics using time-domain and frequency-domain techniques.
Apply methods such as pump-probe spectroscopy and THz-TDS to study ultrafast dynamics.
Perform laboratory measurements using ultrafast spectroscopy tools.
Connect ultrafast techniques to applications in physics, chemistry, and biology.
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.
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-conversion, 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
Homework and Exercises, 80%; End of Class Presentation, 20%
B11 Classical Electrodynamics, A203 Advanced Optics
Enrollment cap of 8 students