About This Webinar
Laser-based spectroscopy has revolutionized our understanding of ultrafast phenomena, enabling investigations across diverse fields, from probing primary energy conversion in plants to studying charge carrier dynamics in semiconductors. This presentation will explore how the evolution of laser technology has shaped the field and provide guidance on selecting appropriate tools for ultrafast spectroscopy.
Originating with flash photolysis in the mid-20th century, the field has witnessed a dramatic leap forward with the advent of pulsed lasers, enabling investigations on progressively shorter timescales – from nanoseconds to femtoseconds, and even attoseconds. Additionally, the transition from custom-built to commercially available turnkey systems has streamlined research. Modern solid-state lasers, such as Yb:KGW, offered improved reliability and flexibility compared to earlier technologies like Ti:Sapphire, facilitating the development of advanced optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) and spectroscopy systems. This has simplified experimental setups, allowing researchers to focus on research rather than laser maintenance.
A laser and an OPA are essential components in nearly every femtochemistry experiment. The complexity of the system depends entirely on the specific experimental needs. While the core components remain consistent, the subsequent steps – home-built versus commercially available setups and the particular applications – are highly variable. Modern systems prioritize compactness and ease of use. Complete spectroscopy systems can now be sourced from a single supplier and fit within a footprint of less than one square meter. These advancements have reduced laser safety classification and increased accessibility for researchers.
*** This presentation premiered during the
2025 Photonics Spectra Spectroscopy Summit. For more information on Photonics Media conferences and summits, visit
events.photonics.com
About the presenter
Greta Bucyte is a product manager of spectroscopy systems at Light Conversion, a leading manufacturer of ultrafast lasers and nonlinear optical devices. In her role, Bucyte is responsible for the development and launch of innovative spectroscopy systems, including transient absorption spectroscopy and other time-resolved techniques.