Ultra-fast Laser Spectroscopy (IMAGE) DOE/Ames National Laboratory Caption Ames Laboratory scientists use ultra-fast laser spectroscopy to 'see' tiny actions in real-time in materials. Scientists apply a pulse laser to a sample to excite the material. Some of the laser light is absorbed by the material, but the light that passes through or reflected from the material can be used to take super-fast 'snapshots' of what is going on in the material following the laser pulse. Credit US Department of Energy Ames Laboratory Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.