Wave Packet Dynamics in Ultrafast Spectroscopy of the Hydrated Electron

Hydrated-electron dynamics is examined by frequency-resolved pump-probe experiments using pulses of 13 fs centered at 780 nm. A recurrence at ~40 fs signifies a strong coupling of the electronic transition to underdamped solvent motions. Wave packet dynamics launched by the pump pulse produces an ultrafast red-shift of the electronic transition by approximately 6500 cm-1. Gross features of the pump-probe experiments are analyzed using a two-level system