Ultrafast Dynamics in Condensed Matter

  • Print

The functions of molecules, molecular groups and nanostructures are essentially governed by an interplay of electronic excitation and structural changes, i.e. nuclear motion. The elementary steps of electronic and nuclear dynamics occur on the ultrafast timescale (femtoseconds to picoseconds). The electrons set the forces which initiate nuclear motion and this motion in turn influences the electronic response (optical absorption, transmission, reflection and coherent wave-mixing processes).

We use optical and infrared pump-probe experiments to launch and observe specific dynamics of (soft) matter tailored on the nanoscale, e.g. in layers with particular functions. Ultrafast x-ray diffraction is used in addition to monitor the atomic motion more directly, either at dedicated synchrotron beamlines or at our laser-plasma based femtosecond x-ray diffractometer. This unique combination of methods aims at understanding and steering the coupled ultrafast dynamics of nuclei and electrons, which may be useful for novel nanodevices.


matias portraitProf. Dr. Matias Bargheer
Institut für Physik und Astronomie
Universität Potsdam
Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25
14476 Potsdam

Phone: +49 331 977 4272 (office)
Fax: +49 331 977 5493