Ultrafast Optical and X-ray Methods of Structural Dynamics Studies in Chemistry and Biology (Joint CUI:AIM & IMPRS UFAST course)

Abstract:

This course will cover methods for studying chemical and biological dynamics in disordered environments, like liquids, using femtosecond laser spectroscopies and time-resolved x-ray techniques (spectroscopy, scattering). These methods will address key challenges in the chemical and biological sciences.

1. Light-Matter Interactions and Spectroscopy – Overview of light-matter interaction, which forms the foundation of spectroscopies across various temporal and spectral regimes. It briefly reviews three core ideas of spectroscopy: 1) Fermi’s Golden Rule, 2) Density Matrix, and 3) Perturbation Approximation.

2. Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopies – Basic concepts of nonlinear optical spectroscopy, pump-probe optical transient absorption, transient grating, transient anisotropy, 2DES, optical Kerr effects, THz spectroscopy.

3. Emergence of Ultrafast X-ray Spectroscopy and Scattering – Development of X-ray transient absorption/emission spectroscopy and its potentials, time-resolved solution scattering.

4. Structural Dynamics in Chemical and Biological Systems Studied by Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy and X-ray Methods – photochemical/photophysical processes, photoactive transition metal complexes, photocatalysis, coherent vibronic processes, and dynamic structural evolution of proteins and nucleic acids (TRXSS).

Updated:
1.: 28th Oct 2025, 9-12 h
2.: 30th Oct 2025, 13-16 h
3.: 4th Nov 2025, 13-16 h
4.: 6th Nov 2025, 13-16 h
Bldg. 99 (CFEL); SR IV, O1.109

Poster (pdf)

Script lecture 1 (zip)
Script lecture 2 (zip)
Script lecture 3 (zip)
Script lecture 4 (zip)

Note: Prof. Dr. Lin X. Chen will also give a talk as part of the Hamburg Photon Science Colloquium on 24th October.