Nanoscale photothermal and photoacoustic transients probed with extreme ultraviolet radiation

We demonstrate the use of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light for time-resolved measurements of the photothermal and photoacoustic response of materials. By using wavelengths that are 20x shorter than visible light, we demonstrate the potential for dramatically increased sensitivity and signal levels, in some cases by almost two orders of magnitude compared with visible light. This approach will enable probing of surface acoustic dynamics on nano-scale spatial dimensions of 50 nm and below, using a small scale coherent EUV sources employing high-harmonic generation. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.