Shock compression spectroscopy with high time and space resolution

Shock compression of molecules with high time and space resolution is obtained using a combination of femtosecond laser-driven shock waves and coherent nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy. In a molecular monolayer, vibrational spectroscopy is used to look at a single atomic group, CH$_{3}$, as the $<$ 3 ps rise time shock front passes. Through comparison with molecular simulations, the detailed nature of shock-induced molecular deformations is determined.