Fig. 6.

Schematic representation of the dynamics for the ice layers on graphite. (Middle Left) After the ultrafast heating initiated by an infrared light pulse, the substrate undergoes lattice contraction followed by expansion (22). The transfer of vibrational energy to interfacial ice assembly leads to (partial) structural randomization in the first 10 ps. (Middle Right) A collective structural motion in ice then takes place, which results in a nonequilibrium phase transformation into an expanded ice structure. (Right) On a longer time scale, energy transfer from ice to the substrate together with the relaxation of graphite itself establishes equilibration of the composite system; the ice structure subsequently returns to its original state.