Ultrafast Absorption Spectroscopy

In ultrafast spectroscopy, pulsed light sources with a pulse duration less than 1 picosecond are used to observe light-matter interactions (e.g., absorption, scattering). The use of these ultrashort pulses enables physical processes occurring on a wide range timescales (sub ps to ms) to be resolved and studied. Further, ultrashort pulses are spectrally broad (i.e., contain many wavelengths) which enables light-matter interactions occurring over relatively large portions of the electromagnetic spectrum to be studied in a single pulse. We have recently begun developing ultrafast absorption diagnostics for studying piezoenergetic propellants which could provide tunable and controllable ignition and combustion performance.