Femtosecond laser excitation of the semiconductor-metal phase transition in VO2

We have measured the subpicosecond optical response of a solid-state, semiconductor-to-metal phase transition excited by femtosecond laser pulses. We have determined the dynamic response of the complex refractive index of VO2 thin films by making pump-probe optical transmission and reflection measurements at 780 nm. The phase transition was found to be largely prompt with the optical properties of the high-temperature metallic state being attained within 5 ps. The ultrafast change in complex refractive index enables ultrafast optical switching devices in VO2.