X-ray diffuse scattering measurements of nucleation dynamics at femtosecond resolution.
Femtosecond time-resolved small and wide angle x-ray diffuse scattering techniques are applied to investigate the ultrafast nucleation processes that occur during the ablation process in semiconducting materials. Following intense optical excitation, a transient liquid state of high compressibility characterized by large-amplitude density fluctuations is observed and the buildup of these fluctuations is measured in real time. Small-angle scattering measurements reveal snapshots of the spontaneous nucleation of nanoscale voids within a metastable liquid and support theoretical predictions of the ablation process.
Lindenberg
A M
AM
PULSE Center, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
Engemann
S
S
Gaffney
K J
KJ
Sokolowski-Tinten
K
K
Larsson
J
J
Hillyard
P B
PB
Reis
D A
DA
Fritz
D M
DM
Arthur
J
J
Akre
R A
RA
George
M J
MJ
Deb
A
A
Bucksbaum
P H
PH
Hajdu
J
J
Meyer
D A
DA
Nicoul
M
M
Blome
C
C
Tschentscher
Th
T
Cavalieri
A L
AL
Falcone
R W
RW
Lee
S H
SH
Pahl
R
R
Rudati
J
J
Fuoss
P H
PH
Nelson
A J
AJ
Krejcik
P
P
Siddons
D P
DP
Lorazo
P
P
Hastings
J B
JB