Nanosecond and Picosecond Photochemistry with Lasers.

Abstract

Pulsed lasers are excellent light sources for studying primary events in photochemistry. Previously a Q-switched ruby laser and a laser-induced spark was used to observe excited singlet states of aromatic compounds on a nanosecond time scale. In the reported research the authors have extended the time resolution of laser photolysis onto the picosecond time range. They used the second harmonic (530 nm) of a mode-locked neodymium/glass laser as an excitation source. The self-phase modulation continuum produced when 530nm picosecond laser pulses are focussed into glass, water and other optical media was employed. Using the continuum as a monitoring source they observed inverse Raman spectra in several molecules and a short lived transient absorption in Rhodamine 6G. Observation of short lived absorption by excited molecular states is of importance in understanding the dynamics of laser control materials such as those used for Q-switching and mode-locking. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0735789

Entities

People

  • J. R. Novak
  • M. W. Windsor

Organizations

  • TRW Inc.

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aromatic Compounds
  • Glass Lasers
  • Laser Pulses
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Light Sources
  • Materials
  • Nanosecond Time
  • Phase Modulation
  • Photochemistry
  • Picosecond Time
  • Pulsed Lasers
  • Q Switching
  • Raman Spectra
  • Ruby Lasers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy