Abstract

The generation of coherent optical phonons in molecules and solids has attracted much attention since practical and reliable femtosecond lasers became available.^1,2 While there is consensus that impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) is the mechanism responsible for the generation of coherent phonons in transparent materials, the relevant processes in opaque substances have not yet been conclusively elucidated.

© 1999 Optical Society of America