Femtosecond dynamics of electrons in metals

The current state of research into the femtosecond dynamics of low-energy excited electronic states in metals is reviewed. Some of the major approaches to the experimental study of the decay of excited states are discussed, including time-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and spintronics techniques. Semi-empirical and first principles theoretical approaches to electronic dynamics are presented. Results on electronic dynamics in some simple, noble, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic metals are analyzed.