Nanoscale solids in strong ultrashort optical pulse

本研究的目的是全面分析强超短激光脉冲与纳米级固体（如辩证法和金属纳米膜）的相互作用。本研究的方法是基于超短（小于10fs）激光脉冲持续时间内电子动力学的相干描述。这种电子动力学将由非线性微分方程系统来描述，并将用数值方法求解。本研究将对纳米级固体的超短激光脉冲提供全面的理论描述，并将确定超快光脉冲可以控制电介质和金属纳米膜的何种光学和输运性质以及在何种程度上，如何利用光脉冲探测电介质和金属的动力学，以及在何种条件下电介质或金属表现出可逆行为。提出的研究将解决基础问题（理解超短激光脉冲与固体的相互作用）和应用问题（高petahertz频率的纳米级器件的电性能的光学控制，可用于纳米级器件）。提议的研究活动的广泛性将鼓励研究生探索物理学的不同领域，包括基础和应用。介绍性和说明性的现代纳米尺度物理系列讲座将给予亚特兰大，GA地区内的中学生和高中生。学院将开设纳米系统光学与输运的本科课程。pi还将在乔治亚州的两所学校组织科学奥林匹克队和数学俱乐部队。

The objective of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of interaction of strong ultrashort laser pulses with nanoscale solids, such as dialectic and metal nanofilms. The approach of this research is based on coherent description of electron dynamics within duration of ultrashort (less than 10 fs) laser pulse. Such electron dynamics will be described by systems of nonlinear differential equations, which will be solved numerically. The proposed research will provide comprehensive theoretical description of ultrashort laser pulse with nanoscale solids and will determine what kind of optical and transport properties of dielectric and metal nanofilm can be controlled by ultrafast optical pulse and within what extent, how the dynamics of dielectric and metal can be probed by the optical pulse, and under what condition the dielectric or metal show reversible behavior. The proposed research will address both fundamental (understanding the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with solids) and applied (optical control of electric properties of nanoscale devices with high petahertz frequency, which can be used in nanoscale devices) problems. The broad nature of proposed research activity will encourage graduate students to explore different fields of physics, both fundamental and applied. Introductory and illustrative lecture series on modern nanoscale physics will be given to middle and high school students within the Atlanta, GA area. The PIs will develop undergraduate course on optics and transport of nanoscale systems. The PIs will also organize the Science Olympiad team and Math Club team at two Georgia schools.