Quantum beat spectroscopy in chemistry

Quantum beat spectroscopy is a Doppler-free time domain method based on the creation of molecular coherences with a laser pulse and the measurement of their subsequent time evolution. Fourier transformation of the time evolution allows a spectrum in the frequency domain with lifetime- limited resolution to be recovered. This article gives an account of the technique applied in high resolution mode which allows the study of isolated molecules, radicals and complexes in extensive detail and with great accuracy.