An Ultrafast THz Light Source for the Study of Correlated Materials at the Atomic Scale

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In modern condensed matter physics much attention is focused on understanding and technological development of materials where complex interactions between atoms and electronics create unique magnetic or electronic properties. The sheer complexity of these systems makes determining the nature of the underlying interactions a great challenge. However, imaging the response of each atom in a sample to a stimulus provides the details necessary to build an understanding of the fundamental physics underlying these exciting materials. This motivates a long standing scientific goal: making an ultrafast movie at the atomic scale. This proposal seeks to construct a multi-purpose ultrafast terahertz (THz) light source. This light source is the heart of an extremely advanced instrument, a terahertz coupled scanning tunneling microscope (THz-STM). Such a microscope is capable of studying dynamics in electronic systems down to the scale of individual atoms on time scales as fast as 1 tenth of one trillionth of a second. Thus it realizes dream measurements which allow a direct approach to solving some of the most important outstanding problems in modern physics. The particular microscope that this laser powers will be the most advanced instrument of its type. It incorporates magnetic field to tune magnetic samples, and specialized microwave electronic connections that enable a huge range of additional experiments. The laser also enables optical spectroscopy and magnetometery that make spatially averaged ultrafast measurements. These conventional measurements provide context for the results of the new THz-STM, broaden the experience of students, and build new experimental tools for the University of Manitoba research community. The rich background in magnetism at the University of Manitoba makes experiments targeting magnetic materials an effective focus area. Ultrafast imaging is particularly important for observing changes in sample magnetization, i.e. Magnetodynamics. Manipulating magnetodynamics, and understanding energy dissipation in magnetic systems is of critical importance to magnetic computing applications, a research field known as spintronics. Atomic scale movies offer a new viewpoint into the fundamental processes behind damping and magnetic oscillations, providing invaluable feedback in the development of energy efficient spintronic devices. Beyond the scope of magnetism, this instrument will be capable of making a substantial contribution to outstanding challenges and open questions in areas ranging from solar energy generation to high temperature superconductivity. Collaboration among Canadians involved in other areas will help to bring this instrument to its full potential going forward. Moreover, students of this lab will be part of a new generation of Canadian research scientists ready to carry on Canada’s already illustrious history in ultrafast science.