Attosecond chronoscopy on solids

Abstract

The generation of single isolated attosecond pulses in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) together with fully synchronized few-cycle infrared (IR) laser pulses allowed to trace electronic processes on the attosecond timescales. A pump/probe technique (attsecond streaking) was used to investigate electron dynamics on surfaces and layered systems with unprecedented resolution. We were able to measure the absolute emission time of electrons upon the photoelectric effect, delays in photoemission of electrons of different species, energy-dependant delays, the influence of the band-structure or wavepacket properties on the emission time in various materials and layered systems.