Two crossovers in the pseudogap regime of YBa2Cu3O7-delta superconductors observed by ultrafast spectroscopy

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the optical reflectivity on a femtosecond scale in a near optimally doped YBa2Cu3O7-δ superconductor. The combined study of the lattice and carrier dynamics at temperatures above Tc allows us to identify two crossover temperatures in the normal state, giving evidence for an inhomogeneity of the pseudogap regime. These crossovers exhibit a clear hysteresis behavior depending on the direction of temperature change. The carrier and lattice dynamics within the crossover regimes show distinct differences from and similarities to the superconducting state, which may help in choosing between the competing theories for the pseudogap state

A time-resolved optical study of the paramagnetic dielectric-ferromagnetic metal transition in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

The relaxation dynamics of charge carriers in an epitaxial La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 film was studied by the light reflection method with a femtosecond time resolution in a wide temperature range. The relaxation of time-resolved photoinduced reflections was shown to be two-component in the whole temperature range including the paramagnetic dielectric-ferromagnetic metal transition at T ≈ 150 160 K. The fast relaxation component had a maximum lifetime (τ ~ 500 ps) in the transition region, and its contribution to relaxation increased as temperature decreased. The lifetime of the slow component was minimum (τ ~ 15 fs) in the transition region. In addition, fast oscillations assigned to coherent phonons appeared in photoinduced responses at T < 200 K. The dephasing time of these oscillations increased as temperature decreased, whereas their frequency changed insignificantly

Study of ultrafast processes in matter by means of time-resolved electron diffraction and microscopy

One of the most fundamental problems of modern natural science is the direct observation of atomic motions in the course of various processes. For this purpose, in the experiment it is necessary to provide high spatial-temporal resolution. The solution to this problem is achieved by using a pulsed electron beam of ultrashort duration to create a stroboscopic diffraction pattern in the method of time-resolved electron diffraction (TRED). Three types of experimental schemes have been developed at our lab. The experimental complex includes (i) 20-keV table-top apparatus for TRED, (ii) 75-keV ultrafast transmission electron microscope and (iii) lensless table-top device for femtosecond electron diffraction. The obtained experimental results are presented

Study of ultrafast processes in matter by means of time-resolved electron diffraction and microscopy

One of the most fundamental problems of modern natural science is the direct observation of atomic motions in the course of various processes. For this purpose, in the experiment it is necessary to provide high spatial-temporal resolution. The solution to this problem is achieved by using a pulsed electron beam of ultrashort duration to create a stroboscopic diffraction pattern in the method of time-resolved electron diffraction (TRED). Three types of experimental schemes have been developed at our lab. The experimental complex includes (i) 20-keV table-top apparatus for TRED, (ii) 75-keV ultrafast transmission electron microscope and (iii) lensless table-top device for femtosecond electron diffraction. The obtained experimental results are presented

Effect of phase modulation of a laser pulse on the generation of a coherent totally symmetric phonon in a tellurium single crystal

The effect of phase modulation (resulting in a chirp of an ultrashort laser pulse) on the generation of a coherent A1 phonon in Te was studied. The amplitude of coherent oscillations was found to depend on the sign and value of the pulse chirp: the oscillation amplitude decreases as the chirp increases. For a positive chirp, this effect is twofold stronger than for a negative one. The frequency-resolved response of a bandwidth-limited pulse was studied, which revealed the difference of oscillations and the relaxation response for the Stokes and anti-Stokes frequencies. The detected phenomena can be used for coherent control of lattice dynamics

Effect of intense chirped pulses on the coherent phonon generation in Te

The authors have studied the influence of chirped laser pulses on the coherent phonon generation in single crystal Te. They have shown that the pulse chirp affects the amplitude of coherent phonons with A1 symmetry in the case of intense excitation only. By varying the chirp of an intense exciting pulse, the authors demonstrated that negatively chirped pulses are almost twice more effective in the creation of lattice coherence than positively chirped pulses