High-energy short-wavelength infrared soliton dynamics and sub-cycle strong-field physics

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Few-cycle laser pulses are indispensable tools for the observation of attosecond domain processes, and for exploiting intense light-matter interactions in physics, chemistry, or life sciences. Today, few-cycle pulse generation in the sub-cycle regime is dominated bynear-infrared lasers at wavelengths of 0.8 um. However, there is a strong application-driven demand for energetic sub-cyclewaveforms at longer wavelengths, in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR, 1.4-3 um). Harnessing the advantageous wavelengthscaling of light-matter interactions, such pulses will open new avenues in strong-field science, ranging from relativistic particle acceleration to the generation of unprecedently short soft X-ray attosecond pulses.I propose to substantially advance the current capabilities in strong-field science by obtaining the most energetic sub-cycle SWIR pulses generated to date. This main objective will be addressed based on soliton dynamics in gas-filled capillaries. In this approach, the temporal compression to the sub-cycle regime is achieved by carefully balancing nonlinearity and dispersion in thewaveguide. A key advantage of energy scaling this methodology in the SWIR arises from the significant growth of the waveguide dispersion with longer wavelength, reducing the necessary capillary length to table-top dimensions. Based on this, I will realise the first table-top, >mJ-energy sub-cycle SWIR laser. The source will then be used to study the generation of soft X-ray attosecond supercontinua surface harmonics at so far inaccessible driving parameters.Achieving the objectives will require me to develop skills in high-energy laser physics, advanced numerical modelling, and project organisation. It is a perfect opportunity to combine my experimental background with the simulation competences at the host institution. The fellowship will not only accelerate my academic career but establish a novel laser class for the next generation of strong-field and atto-science.