Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

Thomas Weinacht is a Professor of Physics at Stony Brook University in New York.He received his B.S. in physics from the University of Toronto 1995 and a Ph.D. inphysics from the University of Michigan in 2000. He started his position at StonyBrook University in 2002. His research focuses on controlling and following moleculardynamics with strong-field ultrafast laser pulses. He has published extensivelyin both physics and chemistry journals, with an emphasis on interpreting experimentalmeasurements. His research group has developed a number of experimental techniques,and he has organized multiple international conferences and workshops in thefield of time-resolved spectroscopy. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society.Brett Pearson is an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Dickinson Collegein Carlisle, PA. He obtained a B.A. in physics in 1997 from Grinnell College andthen a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan in 2004. He was a postdoctoralfellow at Stony Brook University before moving to his current position. At Dickinson,Brett teaches across the curriculum and works with undergraduate students onresearch related to both ultrafast pulse shaping and single-photon quantum mechanics.

• ContentsPreface ixAuthors xiPart I Introduction and Background 1Chapter 1 Introduction 3Chapter 2 Molecular Structure 11Chapter 3 Light–Matter Interaction 41Chapter 4 Introduction to Experimental Techniques 63Part II Quantum Dynamics in One Dimension 73Chapter 5 Field-Free Dynamics 75Chapter 6 Field-Driven Dynamics 93Part III Measurements of One Dimensional Dynamics 113Chapter 7 Incoherent Measurements in 1D 115Chapter 8 Coherent Optical Measurements in 1D 141Chapter 9 Coherent Diffractive Measurements in 1D 165Part IV Quantum Dynamics in Multiple Dimensions 183Chapter 10 Explicit Approach to N-D Dynamics 185Chapter 11 Implicit Approaches to N-D Dynamics 205Part V Measurements of Multidimensional Dynamics 215Chapter 12 Incoherent Measurements in ND 217Chapter 13 Coherent Optical Measurements in ND 241Chapter 14 Coherent Diffractive Measurements in ND 275Chapter 15 One System, Multiple Approaches 283Appendix A Quantum Mechanics Essentials 297Appendix B Experimental Considerations 317Appendix C Additional Problems 325Bibliography 327Index 337

"Weinacht and Pearson have produced a simple and direct introduction to the modern methods and motivations of ultrafast science, intended as a first text for students and scholars interested in this field. The chapter sections interleave physical concepts such as wave packets, correlated motion, or quantum tunneling with clear descriptions of the techniques that ultrafast optical scientists have developed in the last two decades, including the sources and tools of the trade. The result is an excellent introduction and practical guide to time resolved measurements." --Philip H. Bucksbaum, Marguerite Blake Wilbur Chair and Professor of Photon Science, Applied Physics, and Physics, Stanford University"How do I measure a ‘molecular movie’? Which observables do I obtain and how can they be interpreted? To answer these questions, a deeper understanding of the physics and the underlying models and assumptions, as well as the experimental techniques is essential. This is exactly the aim of this clearly written textbook. So far, no textbook exists that focuses on a time-dependent perspective accessible for both theoreticians and experimentalists. It succeeds in improving the common level of basic understanding of (quantum) dynamical models and experimental techniques…an excellent textbook" --Prof. Dr. Stefanie Gräfe, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Abbe Center for Photonics, Jena University"An excellent, well-written and easy to read text. The approach is insightful, nicely blending intuitive physical pictures with sufficient mathematical formalism to enable calculations of real quantities of interest. The authors explain what information can be extracted from a variety of standard measurement techniques, including strengths and weaknesses of the various methods. I do not see a comparable book out there. I recommend it highly, not only for lecture courses on ultrafast spectroscopy and/or molecular dynamics, but as a primer for undergraduate and graduate students as they begin research projects in these areas. I intend to make it standard reading for students joining my group." --Robert R. Jones, Department Chair and Francis H. Smith Professor of Physics, University of Virginia