Recent improvements in the performance of light sources, i.e., reduction in pulse length and increases in wavelength range and power levels, have led toultrafast technology becoming a basic tool in a wide variety of scientific fields. This book presents the very latest developments in the rapidly rxpanding field of ultrashofrt lase pulses and their applications in physics, chemistry, biology, and artificial devices. It provides the most up-to-date record of current research and references in the field of ultrafast phenomena. Contents: Elementary Dynamics: Chemistry, Biology and Physics - Spectrospcopy and Advances in Measurements - Tools: Sources and Amplifiers - High Intensity and Nonlinear Effects - Semiconductors, Confinement and Opto-Electronics - Biology: Primary Dynamics, Electron and Energy Transfer - Chemistry: Electron and Energy Transfer, and Solvation Dynamics.

This volume contains papers presented at the Ninth International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena held at Dana Point, CA, USA, from May 2 to 6, 1994. The biannual Ultrafast Phenomena Conferences provide a forum for discussion of the latest advances in ultrafast optics and applications in science and engineering. The vitality and excitement of the various disciplines sharing common interest in ultrafast phenomena were well represented at the meeting by the 438 participants from 18 countries, including 98 students. Cross-fertilization of ultrafast concepts and techniques among the various scientific and engineering disciplines continues to be the primary driving force behind this successful meeting. Progress was reported in the technology of generating ultrafast pulses, includ ing extensions in pulse width, output power, wavelength range, and intensity. Ultrafast spectroscopy continues to impact and expand the knowledge base of fundamental processes in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. A new series of lively, late-night panel discussions were introduced at this meeting, re flecting the maturing of the field into applications, while at the same time keeping a strong interest in fundamentals. Acknowledgements. Many people and organizations contributed to the success of this meeting. The members of the program committee deserve special thanks for reviewing all the papers and organizing the final program. The staff of the Opti cal Society of America very expertly took care of the conference arrangements."