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Light-induced shape shifting of MXenes

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have discovered that MXenes can be switched repeatedly between a flat and a rippled shape by applying femtosecond laser pulses. This discovery could lead to improved energy storage capacity, enhanced catalytic or antibiotic activity, and new applications in sensing and active plasmonic devices.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 1, 2021

Novel chirped pulses defy 'conventional wisdom'

University of Rochester researchers produce highly chirped pulses with relatively low-quality equipment, increasing possibilities for high-capacity telecommunication systems and astrophysical calibrations. The new method uses normal dispersion cavities, which are more common and can generate stable pulses despite high energy loss.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptica·DateJun 17, 2021

Laser light makes a comeback (literally)

Researchers from Osaka University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the behavior of laser pulses in free space. They found that laser pulse intensity can propagate in a straight line, with the forward-propagating velocity being the speed of light and the backward-propagating velocity being subluminal.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMay 4, 2021

Laser lights the way

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new way to observe laser interactions, enabling accurate control over laser-based manufacturing processes. The discovery could lead to significant improvements in precision and efficiency in industries such as laboratory, commercial, and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Materials·DateMar 29, 2021

Optimising laser-driven electron acceleration

Scientists study how tuning aspects of a powerful laser beam can affect the acceleration of electrons, finding that optimal values of laser beam waist increase maximum acceleration. They observe significant energy gains in full and half-pulse interactions, reaching up to 1 GeV.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 4, 2020

Rotation of a molecule as an "internal clock"

Researchers at the Heidelberg Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics have investigated ultrafast fragmentation of hydrogen molecules in intense laser fields using a new method. They used the rotation of the molecule as an internal clock to measure the timing of the reaction triggered by a second laser pulse.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 1, 2020

Self-imaging of a molecule by its own electrons

Researchers at the Max Born Institute have developed a method to record high-resolution movies of molecular dynamics using electrons ejected from a molecule by an intense laser field. This technique allows for the observation of ultrafast nuclear rearrangement with both high temporal and spatial resolution.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 2020

Rock 'n' control

Researchers at University of Göttingen use femtochemistry to film and control chemical reactions on solid surfaces. They successfully transfer principle from molecules to a solid, controlling its crystal structure with high efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature·DateJul 8, 2020

Excitation of robust materials

Researchers at Kiel University have observed rapid electronic changes in tungsten ditelluride using laser pulses, which could enable ultra-fast optoelectronic switches. The team used time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to visualize the changes in the material's electronic structure, revealing new insights into its unusual properties.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2020

Efficient generation of relativistic near-single-cycle mid-infrared pulses in plasmas

Scientists have developed a new scheme to generate near-single-cycle mid-infrared pulses in plasmas, achieving conversion efficiencies of up to 30%. The method uses two terawatt-level short-pulse lasers incident into an underdense plasma channel, producing a tunable mid-infrared pulse with millijoules of energy.

Light moves spins around

Scientists have discovered a new microscopic process called optical intersite spin transport (OISTR) that allows light to trigger a displacement of electrons between atoms, influencing the local magnetization. This process is accompanied by a leveling of electron reservoirs and can be tailored by bringing together specific types of atoms.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 17, 2020

How to take a picture of a light pulse

A team from TU Wien, MPI Garching, and LMU Munich has developed a new method to measure the shape of light pulses using tiny silicon oxide crystals. This allows for precise information about the interaction of light and matter, enabling applications such as characterizing novel materials and detecting diseases.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2020

Scientists film molecular rotation

Researchers at DESY used precisely tuned laser light to capture the ultrafast rotation of carbonyl sulphide molecules, revealing the intricate dance of quantum mechanics. The resulting 'molecular movie' provides new insights into molecular dynamics and has potential applications for studying other molecules and processes.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

As hot as the sun's interior

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have successfully created plasma using nanowires and long-wavelength ultrashort pulse lasers. The new method achieves higher temperatures than previously thought possible in a laboratory setting, opening up new avenues for studying plasma and its properties.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 5, 2019

How long does a quantum jump take?

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have successfully measured the duration of the photoelectric effect, a crucial process in quantum physics. The results reveal that different quantum jumps take varying amounts of time, ranging from 100 to 45 attoseconds for electrons from tungsten atoms.

The photoelectric effect in stereo

A team of physicists has measured a tiny time difference in the ejection of an electron from a molecule depending on its position. The researchers used attosecond laser pulses to study the photoelectric effect in carbon monoxide molecules, achieving precise measurements of the Wigner time delay and electron localization.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJun 22, 2018

Detecting the shape of laser pulses

A team of researchers at the Institute for Basic Science developed a new method to measure laser pulse shapes in ambient air. The patented technique, TIPTOE, uses tunnel ionization and achieves temporal characterization of laser pulses without X-ray pulses or vacuum conditions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalOptica·DateMay 17, 2018

From insulator to conductor in a flash

Researchers have developed a method to rapidly transition strongly correlated materials from insulators to conductors using tailored laser pulses. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of next-generation electronics that are faster and more energy efficient.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 16, 2018