CAREER: Theory of attosecond pulse generation

该提案侧重于现代原子和光学物理学的两个不同方面。研究部分旨在研究宏观数量的量子系统（原子）与超短超强激光脉冲相互作用所产生的令人兴奋的现象，特别是导致阿秒脉冲生成的极端非线性过程。这将通过开发气相原子与超短激光脉冲相互作用的从头算非绝热理论模型来实现。这种“数值非线性介质”（NNLM）将允许从第一原理对最先进的短脉冲激光实验进行完整的模拟。这将涉及实时求解瞬态薛定谔方程（TDSE）和麦克斯韦波动方程，并且需要大规模计算。所有设想的计算都与 PI 和强场物理前沿的三个实验组之间正在进行的合作直接相关。教育部分旨在通过开发基于原子和光学物理概念和探究的课程来加强中学教育教师的准备，该课程专门针对中等教育专业的物理专业，这将满足与国家科学教育标准相关的目标。课程交付将基于新兴的学习研究，并模拟当前课堂教师期望的基于标准的教学类型。 路易斯安那州立大学目前迫切需要为中学教育教师开发严格的、基于内容的物理课程，以提高他们在 6-12 年级教授物理的资格。因此，拟议的课程将直接帮助路易斯安那州的物理教师准备和资格认证。

This proposal focuses on two different aspects of modern atomic and optical physics. The research part is directed toward studying the exciting phenomena resulting from the interaction of a macroscopic number of quantum systems (atoms) with an ultra short and ultraintense laser pulse, in particular the extremely non-linear processes that lead to the generation of attosecond pulses. This will be accomplished through the development of an ab-initio, non-adiabatictheoretical model for the interaction of atoms in the gas phase with ultrashort laser pulses. This "numerical non-linear medium" (NNLM) will allow for the complete simulation of the most advanced short pulse laser experiments from first principles. This will involve the simultaneous solution of both the time-dependent Schroedinger equation (TDSE) and the Maxwell wave equation in real time, and will require large scale computations. All of the calculations envisioned are directly relevant to ongoing collaborations between the PI and three experimental groups at the forefront of strong field physics.The education part is directed at the enhancement of secondary education teacher preparation via the development of a concept and inquiry based course on atomic and optical physics specifically directed toward physics majors with a secondary education concentration, which will meet objectives correlated with the National Science Education Standards. The course delivery will be based on emerging research in learning and model the type of standards-based teaching and learning that is currently expected of classroom teachers. At Louisiana State University there is currently an urgent need to develop rigorous, content-based physics courses for secondary education teachers to better qualify them for teaching physics in grades 6-12. The proposed course will thus directly aid the physics teacher preparation and qualification in the state of Louisiana.