Time-resolved measurements of the spectral dielectric function reveal new information about ultrafast phase transitions induced by femtosecond laser pulses in Sb-rich amorphous GeSb films. The excitation generates a nonthermal phase within 200 fs. The dielectric function of this phase differs from that of the crystalline phase, contrary to previous suggestions of a disorder-to-order transition. The observed dielectric function is close to that of the liquid phase, indicating an ultrafast transition from the amorphous phase to a different disordered state.

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