Quantitative disentanglement of coherent and incoherent laser-induced surface deformations by time-resolved x-ray reflectivity

We present time-resolved x-ray reflectivity measurements on laser excited coherent and incoherent surface deformations of thin metallic films. Based on a kinematical diffraction model, we derive the surface amplitude from the diffracted x-ray intensity and resolve transient surface excursions with sub-A spatial precision and 70 ps temporal resolution. The analysis allows for decomposition of the surface amplitude into multiple coherent acoustic modes and a substantial contribution from incoherent phonons which constitute the sample heating.