Time for Molecular Dynamics

Experiments are described to study molecular dynamics over 16 orders of magnitude in time, from seconds to attoseconds. By the generation of ultrafast high order harmonics in the vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray region, molecular dissociation and ionization processes are explored by probing x-ray core level spectroscopic transitions. Results reveal alignment effects, molecular dissociation pathways, and optically-induced absorption changes. In extreme limits, attosecond bursts of soft x-rays are generated by selected half cycles of intense, few-cycle laser pulses and, for comparison, the statistics of long-time single quantum dot intermittencies are investigated with tunable excitation sources, exhibiting memory effects and effects of environment.

For more information contact Dr. Ken Brown (404-385-3124).