168 Light–Matter Interaction
3.3.2. Noninstantaneous Response
For Eq. (3.80) to be valid in the time domain, we must assume that the sample
responds instantaneously to the electric field; in other words, it does not exhibit
a memory. The polarization at an instant t = t
0
must depend solely on field
values at t = t
0
. As discussed in the previous section for resonant interaction,
a noninstantaneous response and memory effects, respectively, are a result of
phase and energy relaxation processes. They become noticeable if they proceed
on a time scale of the pulse duration or longer. Fortunately, in nonresonant
light–matter interaction many processes are well described by an instantaneous
response even when excited by pulses with durations of the order of