Wave Packet Dynamics in Ultrafast Spectroscopy of the Hydrated Electron

Hydrated-electron dynamics is examined by frequency-resolved pump-probe experiments using pulses of 13 fs centered at 780 nm. A recurrence at ~40 fs signifies a strong coupling of the electronic transition to underdamped solvent motions. Wave packet dynamics launched by the pump pulse produces an ultrafast red-shift of the electronic transition by approximately 6500 cm-1. Gross features of the pump-probe experiments are analyzed using a two-level system

Spectral interferometry as an alternative to time-domain heterodyning

A novel method of time resolving the amplitude and phase of a transient nonlinear-optical polarization, based on Fourier transformation of a spectral interference pattern, is discussed. We show that with this technique the delay at which the polarization is generated can be retrieved. The method is demonstrated in a transient four-wave-mixing experiment on a dye solution. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America