Project acronym ATTIDA
Project Attosecond space-time imaging of coherent quantum dynamics
Researcher (PI) Michael Krueger
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Country Israel
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2019-STG
Summary Coherence is a fundamental property of quantum mechanics, characterizing phase correlations of light or matter waves. It is at the heart of many physical phenomena, such as the creation of electron-hole pairs in the photovoltaic effect or the fast migration of electronic charge within a molecule. In order to study coherent electron dynamics, extremely high spatial and temporal resolving power is required, which is highly challenging. Well-established imaging methods like scanning tunneling microscopy achieve atomic-scale spatial resolution, while lacking ultrafast time resolution. At the temporal frontier, I recently bridged the gap between attosecond spectroscopy (1as = 10-18 s) and the nano-scale. The goal of my research program is to unlock the full potential of attosecond spectroscopy by achieving simultaneous spatial and temporal probing of ultrafast coherent phenomena.
The proposed approach relies on the introduction of attosecond spectroscopy into scanning tunneling microscopy and electron holography. The spatial resolution of these methods is based on nano-scale needle tips, serving as local probes or as point-like electron sources. My team and I will develop attosecond temporal gates at the tips, enabling pump-probe spectroscopy. The resulting “pump” – triggering the coherent dynamics – and the “probe” – measuring its evolution – are localized in space and time, with attosecond and sub-nanometer precision. This combination will allow watching charge dynamics in a single molecule and observing multi-electron dynamics in nanostructures with atomic-scale site selectivity, as they evolve in real time.
My approach has the potential to shed new light on quantum optics, plasmonics, molecular electronics, surface science and femtochemistry. In particular, my team and I will study quantum tunneling on the atomic level, charge migration in organic molecules and electron-hole dynamics in low-dimensional solid-state systems.
Summary
Coherence is a fundamental property of quantum mechanics, characterizing phase correlations of light or matter waves. It is at the heart of many physical phenomena, such as the creation of electron-hole pairs in the photovoltaic effect or the fast migration of electronic charge within a molecule. In order to study coherent electron dynamics, extremely high spatial and temporal resolving power is required, which is highly challenging. Well-established imaging methods like scanning tunneling microscopy achieve atomic-scale spatial resolution, while lacking ultrafast time resolution. At the temporal frontier, I recently bridged the gap between attosecond spectroscopy (1as = 10-18 s) and the nano-scale. The goal of my research program is to unlock the full potential of attosecond spectroscopy by achieving simultaneous spatial and temporal probing of ultrafast coherent phenomena.
The proposed approach relies on the introduction of attosecond spectroscopy into scanning tunneling microscopy and electron holography. The spatial resolution of these methods is based on nano-scale needle tips, serving as local probes or as point-like electron sources. My team and I will develop attosecond temporal gates at the tips, enabling pump-probe spectroscopy. The resulting “pump” – triggering the coherent dynamics – and the “probe” – measuring its evolution – are localized in space and time, with attosecond and sub-nanometer precision. This combination will allow watching charge dynamics in a single molecule and observing multi-electron dynamics in nanostructures with atomic-scale site selectivity, as they evolve in real time.
My approach has the potential to shed new light on quantum optics, plasmonics, molecular electronics, surface science and femtochemistry. In particular, my team and I will study quantum tunneling on the atomic level, charge migration in organic molecules and electron-hole dynamics in low-dimensional solid-state systems.
Max ERC Funding
1 690 323 €
Duration
Start date: 2020-01-01, End date: 2024-12-31
Project acronym ATTO-GRAM
Project Attosecond Gated Holography
Researcher (PI) Nirit DUDOVICH
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Country Israel
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE2, ERC-2019-COG
Summary Strong-field-driven electric currents in condensed-matter systems open new frontiers in manipulating electronic and optical properties on petahertz frequency scales. In this regime, new challenges arise as the role of the band structure and the quantum nature of ultrafast electron-hole dynamics have yet to be resolved. While petahertz spectroscopy and control of condensed-matter systems holds great potential, revealing the underlying attosecond (1 attosecond – 10(-18) second) dynamics of electrons in solids is still in its infancy.
The proposed research aims at the development of a state-of-the-art attosecond metrology scheme that integrates the concept of holography with attosecond gating. Attosecond-gated holography will provide direct insight into the instantaneous evolution of the complex quantum wavefunctions in solid-state systems. This scheme will enable us to follow the electron-hole wavepacket evolution during ultrafast band structure deformation, probing a range of fundamental processes – from sub-cycle phase transitions to ultrafast dynamics in correlated systems. In ATTO-GRAM, we will establish attosecond-gated holography and then apply it to study field-induced transient band structures, resolve electron-hole dynamics during lattice deformation and reveal attosecond phenomena in strongly correlated systems.
Integrating state-of-the-art experimental schemes, supported by advanced theoretical analysis, will lead to the discoveries of new phenomena previously deemed inaccessible. The impact of the proposed research reaches beyond attosecond metrology – opening new routes in the establishment of compact solid-state extreme ultraviolet sources, petahertz electronics and optically induced metamaterials.
Summary
Strong-field-driven electric currents in condensed-matter systems open new frontiers in manipulating electronic and optical properties on petahertz frequency scales. In this regime, new challenges arise as the role of the band structure and the quantum nature of ultrafast electron-hole dynamics have yet to be resolved. While petahertz spectroscopy and control of condensed-matter systems holds great potential, revealing the underlying attosecond (1 attosecond – 10(-18) second) dynamics of electrons in solids is still in its infancy.
The proposed research aims at the development of a state-of-the-art attosecond metrology scheme that integrates the concept of holography with attosecond gating. Attosecond-gated holography will provide direct insight into the instantaneous evolution of the complex quantum wavefunctions in solid-state systems. This scheme will enable us to follow the electron-hole wavepacket evolution during ultrafast band structure deformation, probing a range of fundamental processes – from sub-cycle phase transitions to ultrafast dynamics in correlated systems. In ATTO-GRAM, we will establish attosecond-gated holography and then apply it to study field-induced transient band structures, resolve electron-hole dynamics during lattice deformation and reveal attosecond phenomena in strongly correlated systems.
Integrating state-of-the-art experimental schemes, supported by advanced theoretical analysis, will lead to the discoveries of new phenomena previously deemed inaccessible. The impact of the proposed research reaches beyond attosecond metrology – opening new routes in the establishment of compact solid-state extreme ultraviolet sources, petahertz electronics and optically induced metamaterials.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2020-01-01, End date: 2024-12-31
Project acronym BoostDiscovery
Project Boosting the discovery using τs in the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider
Researcher (PI) Liron Barak
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Country Israel
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2020-STG
Summary Almost ten years into the highly successful program both in ATLAS and CMS, our understanding of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics has deepened. Nonetheless, what lies beyond the SM remains one of the most urgent questions of physics in the 21st century. To move forward, one must think outside of the box and leap into uncharted waters. Searches today are aiming at the high-energy frontier, while low-mass resonances are mostly overlooked by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Consequently, far-reaching hints of new physics may silentlyhide in the data. Motivated by numerous New Physics (NP) scenarios that often predict light states, such as extended Higgs sectors, axion physics, or dark sector models, among others, the PI will develop new techniques to search for low-mass resonances decaying into two collimated low-pT hadronic τ leptons. τs, being the heaviest, third-generation leptons, provide a unique experimental opportunity to search for low-lying states that would otherwise go undetected. In particular, novel methods to identify boosted hadronic τ+τ− pairs will be established. These techniques will then be used to pave a new path towards discovery of low-mass resonances produced through various production modes. As part of this proposal, the PI will also develop new trigger-level capabilities to further extend the reach of this program at Run-3. As a former leader of the ATLAS Beyond the Standard Model physics group, and current leader of low-mass resonance searches, the PI is ideally positioned to establish a strong research team and take this project to completion, laying the groundwork for the discovery of new physics beyond the SM.
Summary
Almost ten years into the highly successful program both in ATLAS and CMS, our understanding of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics has deepened. Nonetheless, what lies beyond the SM remains one of the most urgent questions of physics in the 21st century. To move forward, one must think outside of the box and leap into uncharted waters. Searches today are aiming at the high-energy frontier, while low-mass resonances are mostly overlooked by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Consequently, far-reaching hints of new physics may silentlyhide in the data. Motivated by numerous New Physics (NP) scenarios that often predict light states, such as extended Higgs sectors, axion physics, or dark sector models, among others, the PI will develop new techniques to search for low-mass resonances decaying into two collimated low-pT hadronic τ leptons. τs, being the heaviest, third-generation leptons, provide a unique experimental opportunity to search for low-lying states that would otherwise go undetected. In particular, novel methods to identify boosted hadronic τ+τ− pairs will be established. These techniques will then be used to pave a new path towards discovery of low-mass resonances produced through various production modes. As part of this proposal, the PI will also develop new trigger-level capabilities to further extend the reach of this program at Run-3. As a former leader of the ATLAS Beyond the Standard Model physics group, and current leader of low-mass resonance searches, the PI is ideally positioned to establish a strong research team and take this project to completion, laying the groundwork for the discovery of new physics beyond the SM.
Max ERC Funding
1 420 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31
Project acronym DG-PESP-CS
Project Deterministic Generation of Polarization Entangled single Photons Cluster States
Researcher (PI) David Gershoni
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Country Israel
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE2, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary Measurement based quantum computing is one of the most fault-tolerant architectures proposed for quantum information processing. It opens the possibility of performing quantum computing tasks using linear optical systems. An efficient route for measurement based quantum computing utilizes highly entangled states of photons, called cluster states. Propagation and processing quantum information is made possible this way using only single qubit measurements. It is highly resilient to qubit losses. In addition, single qubit measurements of polarization qubits is easily performed with high fidelity using standard optical tools. These features make photonic clusters excellent platforms for quantum information processing.
Constructing photonic cluster states, however, is a formidable challenge, attracting vast amounts of research efforts. While in principle it is possible to build up cluster states using interferometry, such a method is of a probabilistic nature and entails a large overhead of resources. The use of entangled photon pairs reduces this overhead by a small factor only.
We outline a novel route for constructing a deterministic source of photonic cluster states using a device based on semiconductor quantum dot. Our proposal follows a suggestion by Lindner and Rudolph. We use repeated optical excitations of a long lived coherent spin confined in a single semiconductor quantum dot and demonstrate for the first time practical realization of their proposal. Our preliminary demonstration presents a breakthrough in quantum technology since deterministic source of photonic cluster, reduces the resources needed quantum information processing. It may have revolutionary prospects for technological applications as well as to our fundamental understanding of quantum systems.
We propose to capitalize on this recent breakthrough and concentrate on R&D which will further advance this forefront field of science and technology by utilizing the horizons that it opens.
Summary
Measurement based quantum computing is one of the most fault-tolerant architectures proposed for quantum information processing. It opens the possibility of performing quantum computing tasks using linear optical systems. An efficient route for measurement based quantum computing utilizes highly entangled states of photons, called cluster states. Propagation and processing quantum information is made possible this way using only single qubit measurements. It is highly resilient to qubit losses. In addition, single qubit measurements of polarization qubits is easily performed with high fidelity using standard optical tools. These features make photonic clusters excellent platforms for quantum information processing.
Constructing photonic cluster states, however, is a formidable challenge, attracting vast amounts of research efforts. While in principle it is possible to build up cluster states using interferometry, such a method is of a probabilistic nature and entails a large overhead of resources. The use of entangled photon pairs reduces this overhead by a small factor only.
We outline a novel route for constructing a deterministic source of photonic cluster states using a device based on semiconductor quantum dot. Our proposal follows a suggestion by Lindner and Rudolph. We use repeated optical excitations of a long lived coherent spin confined in a single semiconductor quantum dot and demonstrate for the first time practical realization of their proposal. Our preliminary demonstration presents a breakthrough in quantum technology since deterministic source of photonic cluster, reduces the resources needed quantum information processing. It may have revolutionary prospects for technological applications as well as to our fundamental understanding of quantum systems.
We propose to capitalize on this recent breakthrough and concentrate on R&D which will further advance this forefront field of science and technology by utilizing the horizons that it opens.
Max ERC Funding
2 502 974 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-06-01, End date: 2021-05-31
Project acronym EXQFT
Project Exact Results in Quantum Field Theory
Researcher (PI) Zohar Komargodski
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Country Israel
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2013-StG
Summary Quantum field theory (QFT) is a unified conceptual and mathematical framework that encompasses a veritable cornucopia of physical phenomena, including phase transitions, condensed matter systems, elementary particle physics, and (via the holographic principle) quantum gravity. QFT has become the standard language of modern theoretical physics.
Despite the fact that QFT is omnipresent in physics, we have virtually no tools to analyze from first principles many of the interesting systems that appear in nature. (For instance, Quantum Chromodynamics, non-Fermi liquids, and even boiling water.)
Our main goal in this proposal is to develop new tools that would allow us to make progress on this fundamental problem. To this end, we will employ two strategies.
First, we propose to study in detail systems that possess extra symmetries (and are hence simpler). For example, critical systems often admit the group of conformal transformations. Another example is given by theories with Bose-Fermi degeneracy (supersymmetric theories). We will explain how we think significant progress can be achieved in this area. Advances here will allow us to wield more analytic control over relatively simple QFTs and extract physical information from these models. Such information can be useful in many areas of physics and lead to new connections with mathematics. Second, we will study general properties of renormalization group flows. Renormalization group flows govern the dynamics of QFT and understanding their properties may lead to substantial developments. Very recent progress along these lines has already led to surprising new results about QFT and may have direct applications in several areas of physics. Much more can be achieved.
These two strategies are complementary and interwoven.
Summary
Quantum field theory (QFT) is a unified conceptual and mathematical framework that encompasses a veritable cornucopia of physical phenomena, including phase transitions, condensed matter systems, elementary particle physics, and (via the holographic principle) quantum gravity. QFT has become the standard language of modern theoretical physics.
Despite the fact that QFT is omnipresent in physics, we have virtually no tools to analyze from first principles many of the interesting systems that appear in nature. (For instance, Quantum Chromodynamics, non-Fermi liquids, and even boiling water.)
Our main goal in this proposal is to develop new tools that would allow us to make progress on this fundamental problem. To this end, we will employ two strategies.
First, we propose to study in detail systems that possess extra symmetries (and are hence simpler). For example, critical systems often admit the group of conformal transformations. Another example is given by theories with Bose-Fermi degeneracy (supersymmetric theories). We will explain how we think significant progress can be achieved in this area. Advances here will allow us to wield more analytic control over relatively simple QFTs and extract physical information from these models. Such information can be useful in many areas of physics and lead to new connections with mathematics. Second, we will study general properties of renormalization group flows. Renormalization group flows govern the dynamics of QFT and understanding their properties may lead to substantial developments. Very recent progress along these lines has already led to surprising new results about QFT and may have direct applications in several areas of physics. Much more can be achieved.
These two strategies are complementary and interwoven.
Max ERC Funding
1 158 692 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-09-01, End date: 2018-08-31
Project acronym IONOLOGY
Project Quantum Metrology with Trapped Ions
Researcher (PI) Roee Ozeri
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Country Israel
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE2, ERC-2013-CoG
Summary We propose a quantum algorithmic approach to metrology and its implementation using trapped-ion qubits. Active decoherence suppression methods such as decoherence-free subspaces, Quantum error-correction codes and dynamic decoupling will be used to reduce the effect of noise while amplifying a measured signal, thus improving on the measurement signal-to-noise ratio. An ion trap architecture that best suits this approach will be designed and realized. Several metrology protocols will be demonstrated. Finally, we propose to apply these methods in actual precision measurements, including the detection of magnetic interaction between ions at large distances, optical frequency metrology, the measurement of parity violation in atomic transitions, and the detection of correlations in an ultra-cold gas of neutral atoms. The implications of scaling-up to large numbers of probe-qubits will be investigated as well.
Summary
We propose a quantum algorithmic approach to metrology and its implementation using trapped-ion qubits. Active decoherence suppression methods such as decoherence-free subspaces, Quantum error-correction codes and dynamic decoupling will be used to reduce the effect of noise while amplifying a measured signal, thus improving on the measurement signal-to-noise ratio. An ion trap architecture that best suits this approach will be designed and realized. Several metrology protocols will be demonstrated. Finally, we propose to apply these methods in actual precision measurements, including the detection of magnetic interaction between ions at large distances, optical frequency metrology, the measurement of parity violation in atomic transitions, and the detection of correlations in an ultra-cold gas of neutral atoms. The implications of scaling-up to large numbers of probe-qubits will be investigated as well.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 882 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-01-01, End date: 2018-12-31
Project acronym LDMThExp
Project Going Beyond the WIMP: From Theory to Detection of Light Dark Matter
Researcher (PI) Tomer Volansky
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Country Israel
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE2, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary The identity of dark matter (DM) is still unknown. For more than three decades, significant theoretical and experimental efforts have been directed towards the search for a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP), often overlooking other possibilities. The lack of an unambiguous positive signal, at indirect- and direct-detection experiments and at the LHC, stresses the need to expand on other theoretical possibilities, and more importantly, to develop new experimental capabilities. Indeed it is conceivable that the WIMP paradigm has been misleading, and other theoretically motivated scenarios must be explored vigorously.
This proposal focuses on light, sub-GeV dark matter. In addition to novel theoretical paradigms that point to DM in the low-mass regime, several new strategies to directly detect dark matter particles with MeV to GeV mass, far below standard direct detection capabilities, are studied. In particular, techniques to search for ionized electrons or chemical bond-breaking are considered. The latter possibility is revolutionary and requires new dedicated technologies and experiments. Sensitivity to one or few electrons, on the other hand, has been established and the PI has recently derived the first direct-detection limits on MeV to GeV dark matter using XENON10 data, demonstrating proof-of-principle. Significant efforts are required to lay the theoretical foundation of light DM and to study in depth and develop the various possibilities to directly detect it. The proposal is centered around these efforts.
The innovative theoretical paradigms and novel avenues to experimentally detect sub-GeV DM, open up a new and groundbreaking field of research. The proposal at hand takes the necessary steps, and offers the opportunity to pave the way and enable the discovery of such a particle, if it exists.
Summary
The identity of dark matter (DM) is still unknown. For more than three decades, significant theoretical and experimental efforts have been directed towards the search for a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP), often overlooking other possibilities. The lack of an unambiguous positive signal, at indirect- and direct-detection experiments and at the LHC, stresses the need to expand on other theoretical possibilities, and more importantly, to develop new experimental capabilities. Indeed it is conceivable that the WIMP paradigm has been misleading, and other theoretically motivated scenarios must be explored vigorously.
This proposal focuses on light, sub-GeV dark matter. In addition to novel theoretical paradigms that point to DM in the low-mass regime, several new strategies to directly detect dark matter particles with MeV to GeV mass, far below standard direct detection capabilities, are studied. In particular, techniques to search for ionized electrons or chemical bond-breaking are considered. The latter possibility is revolutionary and requires new dedicated technologies and experiments. Sensitivity to one or few electrons, on the other hand, has been established and the PI has recently derived the first direct-detection limits on MeV to GeV dark matter using XENON10 data, demonstrating proof-of-principle. Significant efforts are required to lay the theoretical foundation of light DM and to study in depth and develop the various possibilities to directly detect it. The proposal is centered around these efforts.
The innovative theoretical paradigms and novel avenues to experimentally detect sub-GeV DM, open up a new and groundbreaking field of research. The proposal at hand takes the necessary steps, and offers the opportunity to pave the way and enable the discovery of such a particle, if it exists.
Max ERC Funding
1 822 083 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-03-01, End date: 2022-02-28
Project acronym LIVIN
Project Light-Vapour Interactions at the Nanoscale
Researcher (PI) Uriel Levy
Host Institution (HI) THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Country Israel
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE2, ERC-2014-CoG
Summary The goal of this research is to develop a chip scale toolkit for exploring light-vapour interactions at the nanoscale. The integration of hot vapour cells with nanophotonics technology will be used for enhancing the interaction of light with vapours and for constructing miniaturized devices. Our main objectives are: I-developing an advanced and versatile platform which allows for the construction of miniaturized devices bringing together photonics/plasmonics and atomic vapours. II-exploring the science of light-vapour interactions at the nanoscale. III–exploiting the benefits and the uniqueness of our approach for mitigating challenging applications.
Two major platforms will be studied in great details. One is based on combining vapour cells with nanoscale dielectric waveguides and resonators, while the other consists of nanoscale plasmonic structures integrated with hot vapour cells. Using these platforms, plethora of physical effects will be studied and important applications will be demonstrated. Few examples include the study of atomic transitions near surfaces, weak and strong coupling between photonic and atomic resonant systems, slow and fast light effects, nonlinear optics, frequency standards and magnetometry. The proposed approach provides unique features, e.g. high optical densities, low power consumption, well-controlled coupling and small device footprint together with true chip scale integration. For example, owing to the enhanced light-vapour interaction and the small volume of the optical mode, it allows to explore few photons-few atoms interactions, with the ultimate goal of demonstrating effects in the single photon level regime.
Given the uniqueness of our approach, the successful implementation of the proposed research should provide an outstanding playground for conducting basic and applied research in the fields of nanophotonics, plasmonics and atomic physics, and will serve as a landmark for constructing novel miniaturized quantum devices.
Summary
The goal of this research is to develop a chip scale toolkit for exploring light-vapour interactions at the nanoscale. The integration of hot vapour cells with nanophotonics technology will be used for enhancing the interaction of light with vapours and for constructing miniaturized devices. Our main objectives are: I-developing an advanced and versatile platform which allows for the construction of miniaturized devices bringing together photonics/plasmonics and atomic vapours. II-exploring the science of light-vapour interactions at the nanoscale. III–exploiting the benefits and the uniqueness of our approach for mitigating challenging applications.
Two major platforms will be studied in great details. One is based on combining vapour cells with nanoscale dielectric waveguides and resonators, while the other consists of nanoscale plasmonic structures integrated with hot vapour cells. Using these platforms, plethora of physical effects will be studied and important applications will be demonstrated. Few examples include the study of atomic transitions near surfaces, weak and strong coupling between photonic and atomic resonant systems, slow and fast light effects, nonlinear optics, frequency standards and magnetometry. The proposed approach provides unique features, e.g. high optical densities, low power consumption, well-controlled coupling and small device footprint together with true chip scale integration. For example, owing to the enhanced light-vapour interaction and the small volume of the optical mode, it allows to explore few photons-few atoms interactions, with the ultimate goal of demonstrating effects in the single photon level regime.
Given the uniqueness of our approach, the successful implementation of the proposed research should provide an outstanding playground for conducting basic and applied research in the fields of nanophotonics, plasmonics and atomic physics, and will serve as a landmark for constructing novel miniaturized quantum devices.
Max ERC Funding
1 998 863 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-06-01, End date: 2020-05-31
Project acronym MIDAS
Project Multidimensional Spectroscopy at the Attosecond frontier
Researcher (PI) Nirit Dudovich
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Country Israel
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2013-StG
Summary The invention of multidimensional spectroscopy was a major leap in nuclear magnetic resonance. Comparable schemes in the optical regime have led to significant advances in our understanding of ultrafast dynamics in complex molecular systems. Currently, these multidimensional approaches are the most powerful and complete measurement schemes for resolving molecular dynamics on femtosecond time scales. The goal of this project is to advance the basic ideas and concepts of multi-dimensional spectroscopy to the forefront of ultrafast science – the attosecond (10-18 second) regime.
Attosecond science is a young field of research that has rapidly evolved over the past decade. Leading researchers in the field have opened a door into a new area of research that allows the observation of multi-electrons dynamics on their own natural time scale. Attosecond science lies at the heart of strong field light-matter interactions. These interactions can lead to the generation of attosecond duration XUV and energetic electron pulses, thereby providing researchers with the tools for studying a broad range of fundamental phenomena in Nature which evolve on an attosecond time scale. While an extensive theoretical effort has been invested in studying these phenomena, their experimental observation remains limited. The main limitation is set by the complexity of the interaction that offers numerous channels in which electronic dynamics can evolve.
The proposed research program aims at introducing multidimensional spectroscopy in the attosecond regime, thus revealing the underlying complex dynamics behind many attosecond scale phenomena. Integrating state of the art experimental schemes, supported by advanced theoretical analysis, will lead to the discoveries of new phenomena previously inaccessible in many experimental observations. The impact of the proposed research is beyond attosecond spectroscopy – opening new paths in resolving phenomena at the extreme nonlinear limit.
Summary
The invention of multidimensional spectroscopy was a major leap in nuclear magnetic resonance. Comparable schemes in the optical regime have led to significant advances in our understanding of ultrafast dynamics in complex molecular systems. Currently, these multidimensional approaches are the most powerful and complete measurement schemes for resolving molecular dynamics on femtosecond time scales. The goal of this project is to advance the basic ideas and concepts of multi-dimensional spectroscopy to the forefront of ultrafast science – the attosecond (10-18 second) regime.
Attosecond science is a young field of research that has rapidly evolved over the past decade. Leading researchers in the field have opened a door into a new area of research that allows the observation of multi-electrons dynamics on their own natural time scale. Attosecond science lies at the heart of strong field light-matter interactions. These interactions can lead to the generation of attosecond duration XUV and energetic electron pulses, thereby providing researchers with the tools for studying a broad range of fundamental phenomena in Nature which evolve on an attosecond time scale. While an extensive theoretical effort has been invested in studying these phenomena, their experimental observation remains limited. The main limitation is set by the complexity of the interaction that offers numerous channels in which electronic dynamics can evolve.
The proposed research program aims at introducing multidimensional spectroscopy in the attosecond regime, thus revealing the underlying complex dynamics behind many attosecond scale phenomena. Integrating state of the art experimental schemes, supported by advanced theoretical analysis, will lead to the discoveries of new phenomena previously inaccessible in many experimental observations. The impact of the proposed research is beyond attosecond spectroscopy – opening new paths in resolving phenomena at the extreme nonlinear limit.
Max ERC Funding
1 349 833 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-09-01, End date: 2018-08-31
Project acronym NanoEP
Project Enabling Novel Electron-Polariton Physics with Nanophotonic Platforms
Researcher (PI) Ido KAMINER
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Country Israel
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2019-STG
Summary Light-matter interactions are highly limited by strict fundamental rules. The commonly used dipole approximation enforces selection rules that prohibit many electronic transitions due to the mismatch between the wavelength of light and the scale of its emitter (e.g., atom, molecule, quantum dot). This mismatch even prevents access to many other light-matter interactions such as spin-flip transitions and multiphoton spontaneous emission.
In the past four years, I have shown theoretically and experimentally how extreme confinement of light enables transitions that are otherwise forbidden. For example, transforming an unobservable multiphoton emission to be the dominant transition. The key to accessing such transitions is using nano-confined 2D plasmons or phonon-polaritons.
I propose to go beyond my recent work and to study conventionally-forbidden light-matter interactions of free electrons, which have never been explored before. I will do this by utilizing polaritons in nanophotonic structures and in settings of 2D materials. Using both theory and experiments with an ultrafast transmission electron microscope (UEM), my group will develop and observe novel concepts of light emission such as double spontaneous emission of a polariton paired with a high energy photon. We will attempt to realize ultrastrong electron-polariton coupling in new systems, pushing the classical and quantum boundaries of electron-photon energy conversion that limit the efficiency of a wide range of processes.
This project will challenge limits in electron-polariton interactions to enable novel polariton phenomena in nanostructures and settings of 2D materials.
Summary
Light-matter interactions are highly limited by strict fundamental rules. The commonly used dipole approximation enforces selection rules that prohibit many electronic transitions due to the mismatch between the wavelength of light and the scale of its emitter (e.g., atom, molecule, quantum dot). This mismatch even prevents access to many other light-matter interactions such as spin-flip transitions and multiphoton spontaneous emission.
In the past four years, I have shown theoretically and experimentally how extreme confinement of light enables transitions that are otherwise forbidden. For example, transforming an unobservable multiphoton emission to be the dominant transition. The key to accessing such transitions is using nano-confined 2D plasmons or phonon-polaritons.
I propose to go beyond my recent work and to study conventionally-forbidden light-matter interactions of free electrons, which have never been explored before. I will do this by utilizing polaritons in nanophotonic structures and in settings of 2D materials. Using both theory and experiments with an ultrafast transmission electron microscope (UEM), my group will develop and observe novel concepts of light emission such as double spontaneous emission of a polariton paired with a high energy photon. We will attempt to realize ultrastrong electron-polariton coupling in new systems, pushing the classical and quantum boundaries of electron-photon energy conversion that limit the efficiency of a wide range of processes.
This project will challenge limits in electron-polariton interactions to enable novel polariton phenomena in nanostructures and settings of 2D materials.
Max ERC Funding
1 662 923 €
Duration
Start date: 2020-01-01, End date: 2024-12-31
