Professor Justin Wark

Abstract:

We have constructed an ultra-fast time-dependant x-ray diffraction experiment in order to probe laser-induced phase transitions in solids. Such studies have previously been performed using laser probes in the infra-red, visible or ultraviolet spectral range. However, in order to directly probe structures in solids, it is necessary to use x-ray radiation. A laser system producing pulses with a duration of 100 fs has been set-up adjacent to a bending magnet at the Advanced Light Source (ALS). In addition an averaging streak camera with a temporal jitter smaller than 1.5 ps has been incorporated [1]. This diagnostic will permit us to study lattice disordering in materials such as Si. Single-shot measurements were also made using a Kentech streak camera.