Lattice Dynamics of Laser-Heated GaAs Crystals by Means of Time-Resolved X-ray Diffraction

Abstract

Nanosecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction has been employed to study the transient lattice structure of GaAs crystals induced by laser pulse heating. The time evolution of lattice spacing changes was measured with 12 ns resolution. A direct imaging X-ray CCD system with high spatial resolution allowed for the detection of transient structural changes on the order of 5 × 10-4 Å.