Structure tracking of nuclear wave packet oscillations by femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Progress in technology in recent decades has brought not only huge leaps in our knowledge across many fields, but has also led to the development of new tools that help and support the pursuit of such knowledge. Spectroscopy, the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation, is used in chemistry, physics, astronomy and other fields, and allows scientists to investigate the physical and electronic structure as well as composition of materials. A number of techniques, including X-ray spectroscopy, have been developed to detect and measure materials in this way. Dr Tetsuo Katayama, from the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), is part of a team furthering research in this field.