Abstract

Molecular dynamics in condensed phase are complicated by intermolecular interactions spanning times scales down to 10 fs. Various time resolved spectroscopies have been introduced to study different aspects of condensed matter dynamics. Since 1984 incoherent laser pulses with femtosecond correlation time have been used to obtain ultrahigh time resolution in X(3)-type spectroscopy with simple and versatile laser set ups. An incoherent broadband pulse is split into two pulses in an interferometer. One is used for pumping and the other for time delayed probing. An optional third beam is used for a full k-vector resolved coupling scheme or to select a particular molecular resonance. Nanosecond pumped broadband dye lasers allow to easily achieve a time resolution of 40 fs; advanced dye laser setup can give even shorter correlation time.

© 1996 Optical Society of America