APS March Meeting 2014
Volume 59, Number 1
Monday–Friday, March 3–7, 2014;
Denver, Colorado
Session G2: Focus Session: Quantum Control of Molecular, Nano, and Plasmonic Materials IV
11:15 AM–2:15 PM,
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Room: 102
Sponsoring
Unit:
DCP
Chair: Thomas Weinacht, Stony Brook University
Abstract ID: BAPS.2014.MAR.G2.9
Abstract: G2.00009 : Quantum Control of Electrons in Atoms, Molecules and Materials - from Femtosecond to Attosecond to Zeptosecond Timescales
1:39 PM–2:15 PM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
Margaret Murnane
(University of Colorado Boulder)
This talk will discuss strong field quantum control in atomic, molecular and
materials systems with applications across a broad range of chemical,
physical and materials sciences. Using mid-infrared femtosecond lasers to
drive the high harmonic (HHG) frequency upconversion process, strong
time-gated phase matching results in bright \textit{coherent} keV soft X-ray beams on a
tabletop for the first time [1]. The new photon energy range accessed of
0.2--1.6 keV (corresponding to wavelengths of 1 -- 6 nm) is of particular
interest for applications in chemical and materials spectroscopy and
imaging. X-rays can penetrate thick (opaque) samples and achieve high
spatial resolution (2--50nm) imaging, with the added advantage of elemental
and chemical specificity by employing characteristic elemental X-ray
absorption edges and chemically-induced fine structure at these edges.
Moreover, when atoms are ionized by mid-infrared light, the electron
liberated during the HHG process can be driven back to the parent ion
multiple times, resulting in quantum interferences and zeptosecond x-ray
waveforms [2].
We also recently demonstrated that we can precisely control molecular
dynamics on both nuclear (i.e. femtosecond) and electronic (i.e. attosecond)
timescales [3,4]. Using vacuum ultraviolet light pulses that are tunable in
wavelength and time structure, it is possible to switch population between
electronic excited states on attosecond timescales, and use this ability to
select specific pathways for ionization or dissociation of a molecule.
Ultrafast lasers can also be used to switch the dissociation pathways of
molecules as they explode after irradiation by ionizing light. Finally, we
used ultrafast x-rays to capture coherent processes in materials, such how
fast a material can change its electronic or magnetic state,... or how fast
spin currents can control and enhance magnetization in materials.\\[4pt]
[1] Popmintchev et al., Science \textbf{336}, 1287 (2012).\\[0pt]
[2] Hernandez-Garcia et al., PRL \textbf{111},~033002 (2013).\\[0pt]
[3] Zhou et al., Nature Phys. \textbf{8}, 232 (2012).\\[0pt]
[4] Ranitovic at al., submitted (2013).\\[0pt]
[5] S. Mathias et al., PNAS \textbf{109}, 4792 (2012).\\[0pt]
[6] Rudolf et al., Nat. Comm. \textbf{3}, 1037 (2012).\\[0pt]
[7] Turgut et al., PRL \textbf{110}, 197201 (2013).
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2014.MAR.G2.9