Probing condensed matter with space-time-synthesized light pulses

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This research program will focus on the development of a new class of light source and its application to electro-optic (EO) nanosensors and petahertz (1PHz = 10^{15}Hz) quantum electronics in 2D materials. By merging tools developed by the structured light and attosecond communities, we will sculpt the spatiotemporal structure of single-cycle light pulses, providing light with unprecedented flexibility. At a time when ultimate control over matter (e.g. quantum matter, metasurfaces) plays a central role in tailoring light-matter interaction, this program will complement advanced materials with precision light. Spatially resolved electro-optic sampling (SREOS) will be used to measure the spatiotemporal structure of the synthesized light pulses. Characterizing the fields that comprise light unlocks details of light-matter interaction on sub-cycle (i.e. attosecond, 1as = 10^{-18}s) timescales and subwavelength (i.e. nanometer, 1nm = 10^{-9}m) spatial scales. Access to these scales has conventionally required cumbersome techniques such as near field microscopy and attosecond streaking. The superior data quality and compatibility with ambient lab conditions afforded by SREOS will vastly expand the scope of measurements and the resulting physical insight that are possible. In a first application, we will develop sensitive EO nanosensors, where the EO signal originates from symmetry-broken nanoantennas and is spatially confined to nm volumes. Using broadband synthesized pulses, we will characterize the sensitivity, dynamic range and spectral response of the sensors. The latter will be tailored using the nanostructure geometry. Imaging EOS be used to record the spatiotemporal evolution of fields collected by individual nanoantennas. We will then apply incoherent light to the nanosensors and sensitively sample this light in a single-shot manner. We aim to demonstrate state-of-the-art sensitivity in electro-optic nanosensors. In the second direction, we will apply the synthesized fields to 2D materials. Using SREOS, we will sample light that has undergone extreme nonlinear interactions with 2D materials, providing insight into the nonlinear polarization response, light-matter energy exchange and electronic bandstructure. The ensuing attosecond correlated electron dynamics will be mapped onto a weak mid-infrared probe pulse and measured in the far-field via SREOS. Particular attention will be devoted to understanding the role of properties such as OAM in shaping attosecond electron dynamics. We aim to reveal new fundamental insight into quantum electronic processes in 2D materials, laying the foundation for PHz quantum electronic device applications. This program will train 3 PhD, 2 MSc, and 5 UG students in ultrafast laser development, nanofabrication, structured light and quantum matter. The joint emphasis on engineering and physics will prepare the students equally for careers in Canada's technology industry or academia.