Ultrafast photonics - new frontier in science and technology

研究发生在自然时间和长度尺度上的物理过程是科学上最大的挑战之一，也是我在渥太华大学研究超快光子学的重点。 在自然界中，电子运动负责光化学过程中的能量转换。然而，直到最近，跟踪它一直超出了现有工具的范围，因为电子以阿秒的时间尺度运动。此外，当材料尺寸减小到纳米级时，与块体相比，它显示出显著不同的物理、化学、电学和光学性质。纳米结构材料有几个潜在的应用，但现有的技术不能提供以亚微米精度在3D中控制和修改材料特性的能力。我的研究是在空间和时间的极端限制下进行的，旨在解决这两个挑战。 利用最先进的激光技术，我们建议：(I)制造持续时间与电子运动相当的灯弹，并用它们探测复杂分子中的电子动力学--高速爆发模式摄影。(2)使用光作为一种超高精度的加工工具，通过将其限制在固体中的纳米尺寸来操纵材料特性。 提出的超快光子学研究将导致下一代成像、诊断和制造工具的发展。这将使我们能够想象原子/分子中的超快过程。解开电子动力学能够控制在化学和生物学中起关键作用的光化学过程。它对纳米和生物光子学以及分子电子学等新兴技术也很重要。在固体中，揭示光-物质相互作用的基本物理能够控制和优化工艺参数，从而提高制造过程的效率。它还使新型嵌入式光子器件和传感器的制造成为可能。在技术方面，它为与光电子相关的技术开辟了新的前景，这些技术将增强加拿大人的安全和保障，并促进工业创新。

Investigation of physical processes occurring on natural time and length scales is one of the greatest challenges in science and is the focus of my research in ultrafast photonics at university of Ottawa. In nature, electron motion is responsible for energy conversion in a photochemical process. However, tracking it has been beyond the scope of the existing tools until recently because electrons move on attosecond time scale. Also, when material dimension is reduced to nanometers, it exhibits significantly different physical, chemical, electrical and optical properties compared to the bulk. Nanostructured materials have several potential applications but existing techniques do not provide the ability to control and modify material properties in 3D with sub-micron precision. My research conducted at the extreme limits of space and time addresses these two challenges. Employing state-of-the-art laser technology we propose: (i) to produce light bullets comparable in duration to electron motion and use them to probe electron dynamics in complex molecules - a high speed burst mode photography. (ii) to use light as an ultrahigh precision machining tool to manipulate material properties by confining it to nanometer dimensions in solids. The proposed research in ultrafast photonics will lead to the development of next generation imaging, diagnostic and fabrication tools. This will enable us to image ultrafast processes in atoms/molecules. Unraveling electron dynamics enables control of photochemical processes that play a pivotal role in chemistry and biology. It is also important for emerging technologies like nano- and bio-photonics, and molecular electronics. In solids, uncovering the underlying physics of light-matter interaction enables control and optimization of process parameters that will enhance the efficiency of the manufacturing process. It also enables fabrication of novel embedded photonic devices and sensors. Technologically, it opens new vistas for photonics-related technologies that will enhance safety and security of Canadians and facilitate innovation in industry.