Applications of pump-probe spectroscopy

This review outlines advances that have been made in recent years (2005–2007) in the study of ultrafast dynamics occurring in physical, chemical and biological research fields by using pump-probe techniques. Special emphasis is placed on coherent phenomena in materials and experimental achievements of coherent control of wave packets dynamics. After a brief theoretical description of pump-probe methods, an overview of nuclear and electronic coherences appearing in pump-probe spectroscopy is presented. Some of the highlights include molecular alignments, wave packet interferometry, hydrogen migration, and attosecond electron dynamics.