Ultrafast X-ray diffraction
(2005)
Ultrafast X-ray diffraction
(2004)
Large amplitude coherent optical phonons have been investigated in laser-excited Bismuth by means of femtosecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction. For absorbed laser fluences above 2 mJ/cm2, the experimental data reveal an extreme softening of the excited A1g-mode down to frequencies of about 1 THz, only 1/3 of the unperturbed A1g-frequency. At even stronger excitation the measured diffraction signals no longer exhibit an oscillatory behavior presenting strong indication that upon intense laser-excitation the Peierls-distortion, which defines the equilibrium structure of Bismuth, can be transiently reversed.
We apply ultrafast time‐resolved X‐ray diffraction to directly study coherent acoustic and optical phonons in laser‐excited materials. In Au the ps acoustic response has been investigated with the particular goal to clarify the interplay of electronic and thermal pressure contributions. In Bi the extreme softening of the coherently excited A 1 g optical phonon presents strong indication that upon intense laser‐excitation the Peierls‐transition which determines the equilibrium structure of Bi can be reversed. In FeRh we studied the lattice response after a fast laser‐induced anti‐ferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition.