CAREER: Theory of attosecond pulse generation

这个建议集中在现代原子物理和光学物理的两个不同方面。研究部分旨在研究由宏观数量的量子系统（原子）与超短超强激光脉冲相互作用引起的激发现象，特别是导致阿秒脉冲产生的极端非线性过程。这将通过发展一个从头算的非绝热理论模型来实现，该模型用于研究气相原子与超短激光脉冲的相互作用。这种“数值非线性介质”（NNLM）将允许从第一原理完全模拟最先进的短脉冲激光实验。这将涉及同时解决的时间相关的薛定谔方程（TDSE）和麦克斯韦波动方程在真实的时间，并将需要大规模的计算。所有设想的计算都与PI和三个处于强场物理前沿的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专门针对中学教育专业的原子和光学物理概念和探究课程来加强中学教育教师的准备。符合国家科学教育标准的目标。该课程的授课将基于新兴的学习研究，并模拟目前课堂教师所期望的基于标准的教学类型。 在路易斯安那州立大学，目前迫切需要为中学教师开发严格的、基于内容的物理课程，以使他们更有资格在6-12年级教授物理。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。

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.