Springer Ultrafast Phenomena X: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference, Del Coronado, CA, May 28 – June 1, 1996: 62 (Springer Series in Chemical Physics, 62)

This volume contains papers presented at the Tenth International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena held at Del Coronado, California, from May 28 to June 1, 1996. The biannual Ultrafast Phenomena Conferences provide a forum for the discussion of the latest advances in ultrafast optics and their applications in science and engineering. The Ultrafast Phenomena Conference maintains a broad international representation with 391 participants from 18 countries, including 94 students attending the conference. The multidisciplinary character of this meeting provides a cross-fertilization of ultrafast concepts and techniques among various scientific and engineering disciplines. The enthusiasm of the paticipants, the originality and quality of the papers that they presented, and the beautiful conference site combined to produce a very successful and enjoyable meeting. Progress was reported in the technology of generating ultrashort pulses, in cluding new techniques for improving laser-pulse duration, output power, wave length range, and compactness. Ultrafast spectroscopy continues to impact on and expand the knowledge base of fundamental processes in physics, chemistry, biol ogy and engineering. In addition ultrafast phenomena now extends to real-world applications in biology, high-speed communication, and material diagnostics. The Tenth Ultrafast Phenomena Conference was highlighted by a 'special event' in which the developments of the previous conferences were reviewed in a panel discussion by G. Mourou, E. Ippen, A. Migus, A. Laubereau and R. Hochstrasser. From the Back Cover Ultrafast Phenomena X presents the latest advances in ultrafast technology and the study of ultrafast phenomena. It includes picosecond and femtosecond processes in physics, chemistry, and biology as well as engineering applications of ultrafast technology. Ultrafast laser and measurement technology on the picosecond and femtosecond time scales has a profound impact in a wide range of scientific and engineering applications and extends also towards real-world applications in biology, high-speed communication and material diagnostics. This book summarizes results presented at the 10th Ultrafast Phenomena Conference and describes the state of the art of this exciting and rapidly advancing field.