PHOTOEXCITATION SPECTROSCOPY AND MATERIAL ALTERATION WITH FREE-ELECTRON LASER

As synchrotron radiation sources have been used for many experiments i n the ultraviolet and X-ray regimes, the free-electron laser is an exc ellent source for a wide array of infrared-photon projects and applica tions. The free-electron laser delivers a beam of powerful tunable pul sed radiation which provides the opportunity for spatial and temporal localization of the energy delivered at any desired wavelength within the 2-10 mu m regime. One application discussed employs the free-elect ron laser for spectroscopy as a probe of electronic and vibrational st ructures. Another application uses the free-electron laser beam as a t ool for altering materials in a fundamentally new way.