title: Ultrafast imaging and the phase problem for inelastic X-ray scattering.
abstract: A new method for imaging ultrafast dynamics in condensed matter using inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) is described. Using the concepts of causality and irreversibility a general solution to the inverse scattering problem (or "phase problem") for IXS is illustrated, which enables direct imaging of dynamics of the electron density with resolutions of approximately 1 attosecond (10(-18) s) in time and <1 A in space. This method is not just Fourier transformation of the IXS data, but a means to impose causality on the data and reconstruct the charge propagator. The method can also be applied to inelastic electron or neutron scattering. A general outline of phenomena that can and cannot be studied with this technique and an outlook for the future is provided.
authors.affiliation: Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory University of Illinois Urbana, IL 61801, USA. abbamonte@mrl.uiuc.edu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abbamonte
authors.forename: Gerard C L
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Coridan
authors.forename: Nathan W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Ghee Hwee
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Young Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Joe
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casa
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004548:Elasticity; D004583:Electrons; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D009502:Neutrons; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014965:X-Rays