Primary events in natural systems or devices occur on extremely short time scales, and yet determine in many cases the final performance or output. For this reason research in ultrafast science is of primary importance and impact in both fundamental research as well as its applications. This book reviews the advances in the field, addressing timely and open questions such as the role of quantum coherence in biology, the role of excess energy in electron injection at photovoltaic interfaces or the dynamics in quantum confined structures (e.g. multi carrier generation). The approach is that of a monograph, with a broad tutorial introduction and an overview of the recent results. This volume includes selected lectures presented at Symposium on Ultrafast Dynamics of the 7th International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies.

This book contains important contributions from top international scientists on the-state-of-the-art of femtochemistry and femtobiology at the beginning of the new millennium. It consists of reviews and papers on ultrafast dynamics in molecular science.The coverage of topics highlights several important features of molecular science from the viewpoint of structure (space domain) and dynamics (time domain). First of all, the book presents the latest developments, such as experimental techniques for understanding ultrafast processes in gas, condensed and complex systems, including biological molecules, surfaces and nanostructures. At the same time it stresses the different ways to control the rates and pathways of reactive events in chemistry and biology. Particular emphasis is given to biological processes as an area where femtodynamics is becoming very useful for resolving the structural dynamics from techniques such as electron diffraction, and X-ray and IR spectroscopy. Finally, the latest developments in quantum control (in both theory and experiment) and the experimental pulse-shaping techniques are described.

Primary events in natural systems or devices occur on extremely short time scales, and yet determine in many cases the final performance or output. For this reason research in ultrafast science is of primary importance and impact in both fundamental research as well as its applications. This book reviews the advances in the field, addressing timely and open questions such as the role of quantum coherence in biology, the role of excess energy in electron injection at photovoltaic interfaces or the dynamics in quantum confined structures (e.g. multi carrier generation). The approach is that of a monograph, with a broad tutorial introduction and an overview of the recent results. This volume includes selected lectures presented at Symposium on Ultrafast Dynamics of the 7th International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies.

This Festschrift is a tribute to the eminent scholar, Professor Richard Kounai Chang, on his retirement from Yale University on June 12, 2008. During his over four decades of scientific exploration, Professor Chang has made a lasting contribution to the development of linear and nonlinear optics and devices in confined geometries, of surface second-harmonic generation and surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and of novel methods for detecting airborne aerosol pathogens. This volume assembles a collection of articles contributed by former students, collaborators, and colleagues of Professor Chang all over the world. The topics span a diverse scope in applied optics frontiers, many of which are rooted in Professor Chang's pioneering research.

From artificial surfaces to living cells, Molecular Nano Dynamics, Vol. I and Vol. II explores more than 40 important methods for dynamic observation of the nanoscale. Edited by absolute science greats from Japan, this two-volume set covers all important aspects of this topic: nanoscale spectroscopy and characterization tools, nanostructure dynamics, single living cell dynamics, active surfaces, and single crystals. Destined to be the definitive reference work on nanoscale molecular dynamics and their observation for years to come, this is a must-have reference for chemists, physicists, physical chemists, theoretical chemists, and materials scientists.

The first broad and in-depth overview of current research in attosecond nanophysics, covering the field of active plasmonics via attosecond science in metals and dielectrics to novel imaging techniques with the highest spatial and temporal resolution. The authors are pioneers in the field and present here new developments and potential novel applications for ultra-fast data communication and processing, discussing the investigation of the natural timescale of electron dynamics in nanoscale solid state systems. Both an introduction for starting graduate students, as well as a look at the current state of the art in this hot and emerging field.