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Ultrafast Methods in Solid State Physics
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:17
Abstract
In condensed matter physics, “ultrafast” refers to dynamics on the picosecond and femtosecond time scales, the time scales where atoms vibrate and electronic spins flip. Measuring real-time dynamics on these time scales is key to understanding materials in nonequilibrium states. This course offers an overview and understanding of the methods used to accomplish this in modern research laboratories.
Objective
The goal of the course is to enable students to identify and evaluate experimental methods to manipulate and measure the electronic, magnetic and structural properties of solids on the fastest possible time scales. This offers new fundamental insights on the couplings that bind solid-state systems together. It also opens the door to new technological applications in data storage and processing involving metastable states that can be reached only by driving systems far from equilibrium. This course offers an overview of ultrafast methods as applied to condensed matter physics. Students will learn which methods are appropriate for studying relevant scientific questions, and will be able to describe their relative advantages and limitations.
Content
The topical course outline is as follows: Chapter 1: Introduction - Important time scales for dynamics in solids and their applications - Time-domain versus frequency-domain experiments - The pump-probe technique: general advantages and limits Chapter 2: Overview of ultrafast processes in solids - Carrier dynamics in response to ultrafast laser interactions - Dynamics of the lattice: coherent vs. incoherent phonons - Ultrafast magnetic phenomena Chapter 3: Ultrafast optical-frequency methods - Ultrafast laser sources (oscillators and amplifiers) - Generating broadband pulses - Second and third order harmonic generation - Optical parametric amplification - Fluorescence spectroscopy - Advanced optical pump-probe techniques Chapter 4: THz- and mid-infrared frequency methods - Low frequency interactions with solids - Difference frequency mixing - Optical rectification - Time-domain spectroscopy Chapter 5: VUV and x-ray frequency methods - Synchrotron based sources - Free electron lasers - High-harmonic generation - X-ray diffraction - Time-resolved X-ray microscopy & coherent imaging - Time-resolved core-level spectroscopies Chapter 6: Time-resolved electron methods - Ultrafast electron diffraction - Time-resolved electron microscopy
Resources
Lecture Notes
Will be distributed via moodle.
Literature
Will be distributed via moodle.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 20 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Ultrafast Methods in Solid State Physics |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Ultrafast Methods in Solid State Physics |
|
1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
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Doctorate Physics (More Information at: )
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Subject Specialisation (Please note that this is an INCOMPLETE list of courses.)
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