Is there a future for femtosecond x-ray diffraction using plasma x-ray sources?

Summary form only given. Femtosecond time-resolved x-ray diffraction was demonstrated using an alternative technique? the laser-produced plasma x-ray sources. The non-thermal melting of semiconductor was then the first ultrafast phenomena observed and characterized with this new tool. However, potential applications go well beyond the physics of semiconductors. The main drawbacks of laser-produced plasmas is the weak x-ray flux available for the experiment and the monochromaticity of the x-rays. The ultrafast time resolution is at present limited to very simple systems with high x-ray diffraction power. On the basis of our experiments, we will discuss on the possibility to extend this technique to more complex processes as the characterization of the fundamental atomic vibrations in solids (optical phonons) and the elementary steps of biochemical reactions.