Time-resolved cluster dynamics driven by 1.5-?m Laser Pulses

The ultrafast microscopic dynamics of atomic clusters exposed to intense femtosecond laser pulses has been extensively studied in the past; several approaches have been exploited, involving the detection of charged particles as well as the study of radiation emission [1]. However, a common aspect to most studies was the exploitation of 800-nm driving pulses. In this work, by exploiting an ultrafast optical parametric amplifier [2], we extend these studies to mid-infrared (MIR) driving pulses in pump-probe configuration. © 2013 IEEE.