A209
Course Coordinator: 
Keshav Dani
Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Description: 

This course will be an introductory graduate level course to initiate students into the techniques of ultrafast spectroscopy. They will be introduced to the basic concepts underlying sub-picosecond phenomena in nature (ultrafast chemical processes, femtosecond electron dynamics in materials, etc.) and the tools used to study such phenomena (pump-probe spectroscopy, Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy, etc.).

Detailed Syllabus: 
  1. Introduction, History and Development:
  2. Basic Concepts
  3. Understanding Ultrafast Pulses: Spectrum, Fourier Transform, Uncertainty Principle, wavelength, repetition rate
  4. Understanding Ultrafast Pulses & Capabilities: Time Resolution, Nonlinearities,
  5. Ultrafast pulse measurement: Spectrum, Phase, Amplitude, Intensity
  6. Ultrafast pulse measurement: AutoCorrelation, FROG, SPIDER
  7. Ultrafast Techniques: Pump Probe, Four-Wave Mixing, or others.
  8. Ultrafast Techniques: Time Resolved Fluorescence, Up-converstion, or others.
  9. Ultrafast Techniques: THz-TDS, Higher Harmonic Generation, or others.
  10. Ultrafast Techniques: Single Shot Measurements, etc.
  11. Applications: e.g. Condensed Matter Physics
  12. Applications: e.g. Chemistry and Materials Science
  13. Applications: e.g. Biology
Aim: 
This course provides an overview of the modern methods and applications in ultrafast spectroscopy.
Course Type: 
Elective
Credits: 
2
Assessment: 
Homework and Exercises, 80%; End of Class Presentation, 20%
Text Book: 
No text set, students will work from primary sources that will be advised