How Fast Is Ultrafast?

Time-resolved photoemission orbital tomography - Image: Markus Huber, University of Regensburg

In a recent episode of the podcast Bridge the Gap, Tommaso Mazzocchi and Daniel Werner, two graduate physics students, interviewed Peter Puschnig about ultrafast spectroscopy and his current research. The conversation spans fundamental quantum-mechanical concepts and leads up to state-of-the-art methods for observing electronic dynamics in real time. The episode is titled “How fast is ultrafast spectroscopy?” and is aimed at students and anyone interested in modern physics research.

In the approximately 30-minute interview, Puschnig introduces key ideas of quantum mechanics, such as wave functions, orbitals, and the photoelectric effect, and explains how these concepts form the basis of modern spectroscopic techniques. A central focus is time-resolved photoemission orbital tomography, a method that combines ultrashort laser pulses with photoelectron spectroscopy to capture snapshots of electronic orbitals on femtosecond and even attosecond time scales. The discussion also touches on current research efforts to visualize ultrafast charge-transfer processes in molecules relevant for organic electronics and solar energy conversion. The podcast provides an accessible bridge between textbook physics and cutting-edge research carried out at the University of Graz.

Link zum Podcast

Peter Puschnig

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