@article{ReinhardtKocLeitenbergeretal.2016, author = {Reinhardt, Matthias and Koc, Azize and Leitenberger, Wolfram and Gaal, Peter and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Optimized spatial overlap in optical pump-X-ray probe experiments with high repetition rate using laser-induced surface distortions}, series = {Journal of synchrotron radiation}, volume = {23}, journal = {Journal of synchrotron radiation}, publisher = {International Union of Crystallography}, address = {Chester}, issn = {1600-5775}, doi = {10.1107/S1600577515024443}, pages = {474 -- 479}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Ultrafast X-ray diffraction experiments require careful adjustment of the spatial overlap between the optical excitation and the X-ray probe pulse. This is especially challenging at high laser repetition rates. Sample distortions caused by the large heat load on the sample and the relatively low optical energy per pulse lead to only tiny signal changes. In consequence, this results in small footprints of the optical excitation on the sample, which turns the adjustment of the overlap difficult. Here a method for reliable overlap adjustment based on reciprocal space mapping of a laser excited thin film is presented.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schick2013, author = {Schick, Daniel}, title = {Ultrafast lattice dynamics in photoexcited nanostructures : femtosecond X-ray diffraction with optimized evaluation schemes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-68827}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Within the course of this thesis, I have investigated the complex interplay between electron and lattice dynamics in nanostructures of perovskite oxides. Femtosecond hard X-ray pulses were utilized to probe the evolution of atomic rearrangement directly, which is driven by ultrafast optical excitation of electrons. The physics of complex materials with a large number of degrees of freedom can be interpreted once the exact fingerprint of ultrafast lattice dynamics in time-resolved X-ray diffraction experiments for a simple model system is well known. The motion of atoms in a crystal can be probed directly and in real-time by femtosecond pulses of hard X-ray radiation in a pump-probe scheme. In order to provide such ultrashort X-ray pulses, I have built up a laser-driven plasma X-ray source. The setup was extended by a stable goniometer, a two-dimensional X-ray detector and a cryogen-free cryostat. The data acquisition routines of the diffractometer for these ultrafast X-ray diffraction experiments were further improved in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and angular resolution. The implementation of a high-speed reciprocal-space mapping technique allowed for a two-dimensional structural analysis with femtosecond temporal resolution. I have studied the ultrafast lattice dynamics, namely the excitation and propagation of coherent phonons, in photoexcited thin films and superlattice structures of the metallic perovskite SrRuO3. Due to the quasi-instantaneous coupling of the lattice to the optically excited electrons in this material a spatially and temporally well-defined thermal stress profile is generated in SrRuO3. This enables understanding the effect of the resulting coherent lattice dynamics in time-resolved X-ray diffraction data in great detail, e.g. the appearance of a transient Bragg peak splitting in both thin films and superlattice structures of SrRuO3. In addition, a comprehensive simulation toolbox to calculate the ultrafast lattice dynamics and the resulting X-ray diffraction response in photoexcited one-dimensional crystalline structures was developed in this thesis work. With the powerful experimental and theoretical framework at hand, I have studied the excitation and propagation of coherent phonons in more complex material systems. In particular, I have revealed strongly localized charge carriers after above-bandgap femtosecond photoexcitation of the prototypical multiferroic BiFeO3, which are the origin of a quasi-instantaneous and spatially inhomogeneous stress that drives coherent phonons in a thin film of the multiferroic. In a structurally imperfect thin film of the ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3, the ultrafast reciprocal-space mapping technique was applied to follow a purely strain-induced change of mosaicity on a picosecond time scale. These results point to a strong coupling of in- and out-of-plane atomic motion exclusively mediated by structural defects.}, language = {en} } @article{GaalSchickHerzogetal.2014, author = {Gaal, Peter and Schick, Daniel and Herzog, Marc and Bojahr, Andre and Shayduk, Roman and Goldshteyn, Jevgeni and Leitenberger, Wolfram and Vrejoiu, Ionela and Khakhulin, Dmitry and Wulff, Michael and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Ultrafast switching of hard X-rays}, series = {Journal of synchrotron radiation}, volume = {21}, journal = {Journal of synchrotron radiation}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0909-0495}, doi = {10.1107/S1600577513031949}, pages = {380 -- 385}, year = {2014}, abstract = {A new concept for shortening hard X-ray pulses emitted from a third-generation synchrotron source down to few picoseconds is presented. The device, called the PicoSwitch, exploits the dynamics of coherent acoustic phonons in a photo-excited thin film. A characterization of the structure demonstrates switching times of <= 5 ps and a peak reflectivity of similar to 10(-3). The device is tested in a real synchrotron-based pump-probe experiment and reveals features of coherent phonon propagation in a second thin film sample, thus demonstrating the potential to significantly improve the temporal resolution at existing synchrotron facilities.}, language = {en} }