Detection of nonthermal melting by ultrafast X-ray diffraction

Science. 1999 Nov 12;286(5443):1340-2. doi: 10.1126/science.286.5443.1340.

Abstract

Using ultrafast, time-resolved, 1.54 angstrom x-ray diffraction, thermal and ultrafast nonthermal melting of germanium, involving passage through nonequilibrium extreme states of matter, was observed. Such ultrafast, optical-pump, x-ray diffraction probe measurements provide a way to study many other transient processes in physics, chemistry, and biology, including direct observation of the atomic motion by which many solid-state processes and chemical and biochemical reactions take place.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biochemistry / methods
  • Crystallization
  • Germanium / chemistry*
  • Lasers
  • Temperature
  • X-Ray Diffraction*

Substances

  • Germanium