Femtosecond time-resolved measurement of desorption

Desorption of NO molecules from a Pd(111) surface induced by femtosecond visible laser pulses has been investigated in real time. The measurements, accomplished by means of a two-pulse correlation scheme, reveal a subpicosecond response time. The findings indicate that the desorption arises from coupling to the nonequilibrium electronic excitation in the substrate. © 1991 The American Physical Society.