Abstract

We have measured the evolution of the electron energy distribution excited in a 300 Å Au film by a 180 fsec optical pulse. The distribution is measured directly by UV photoemission with a time-resolution of < 400 fsec and an electron energy resolution of ~0.045 eV. We are able to observe: a) evidence of the nascent (as photoexcited) electron distribution, b) the time-evolution from the nascent to a Fermi-Dirac distribution and c) the subsequent cooling of electrons via energy transfer to the lattice.

© 1992 IQEC