Recent advances in ultrafast X-ray sources. (1st April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schoenlein, Robert; Elsaesser, Thomas; Holldack, Karsten; Huang, Zhirong; Kapteyn, Henry; Murnane, Margaret; Woerner, Michael
• Is Part Of: Philosophical transactions. Volume 377:Number 2145(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-04-01
• Subjects: femtosecond X-ray -- X-ray free-electron laser -- attosecond pulses -- synchrotron -- high-order harmonic generation -- laser-driven plasma X-ray source; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Periodicals; Mathematics -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2018.0384
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-503X

Abstract

Abstract : Over more than a century, X-rays have transformed our understanding of the fundamental structure of matter and have been an indispensable tool for chemistry, physics, biology, materials science and related fields. Recent advances in ultrafast X-ray sources operating in the femtosecond to attosecond regimes have opened an important new frontier in X-ray science. These advances now enable: (i) sensitive probing of structural dynamics in matter on the fundamental timescales of atomic motion, (ii) element-specific probing of electronic structure and charge dynamics on fundamental timescales of electronic motion, and (iii) powerful new approaches for unravelling the coupling between electronic and atomic structural dynamics that underpin the properties and function of matter. Most notable is the recent realization of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with numerous new XFEL facilities in operation or under development worldwide. Advances in XFELs are complemented by advances in synchrotron-based and table-top laser-plasma X-ray sources now operating in the femtosecond regime, and laser-based high-order harmonic XUV sources operating in the attosecond regime. This article is part of the theme issue 'Measurement of ultrafast electronic and structural dynamics with X-rays'.