Experimental basics for femtosecond electron diffraction studies

This paper provides a practical introduction to the current practice of femtosecond electron diffraction. We emphasize a general implementation suitable for a wide class of photoactive samples, including nonreversible samples. High density femtosecond electron pulses are required and the consequences for diffractometer design and sample preparation and handling are discussed. Finally, the real space structural analysis of strongly-driven melting in metals possible with our implementation is outlined.