Advancing the characterization of solids: from rocks to quantum materials

现代科学和工程越来越广泛地依赖于技术先进形式的光谱学的应用。在医学、生物学、物理学、化学和材料科学等不同领域，人们不断努力开发新的光谱工具和技术，因为它们在产生新的直觉、概念和理解方面发挥着重要作用。超快光谱学利用飞秒光脉冲在超短时间尺度上探测材料。该研究项目包括两个独立的重点。首先，这些脉冲可以创造受控的非平衡电子条件，以揭示在平衡状态下无法获得的物理特性。一般来说，这些基于光子的相干控制方法被用于驱动和控制凝聚态中的内部量子态，并且对于未来量子技术中量子材料（QM）的充分理解和最终实际实现至关重要。为此，我们致力于开发新的/定制的飞秒激光源和伴随的光谱技术，如时间和角度分辨光发射光谱，以揭示量子介质的特性。通过应用超快光学、材料生长和凝聚态物质方面的专业知识，该研究计划旨在满足这些源的极端要求，使量子态和相的光子操纵成为可能。其次，初步开发了一种新的可见光/近紫外双频梳状光谱（DFCS）系统，用于烧蚀等离子体的光学光谱分析，并进行了长期的QM表征。DFCS作为一种结合高频率分辨率、宽光谱覆盖和快速采集的材料光谱探测技术而出现，但在可见光谱区域缺乏DFCS源。我们的短期目标是开发具有高光谱亮度和可调性的宽瞬时DFCS梳状源。我们将利用该资源开发基于元素和矿物组成的采矿矿石的实时分选。从长远来看，该源将被整合到一个多维相干光谱系统中，用于研究量子力学中的耦合和相干性。通过调整方法和完善在光学物理学中建立的专业知识，我们正在构建新的基于激光的超快光谱源和相关技术，并应用它们来释放量子力学的巨大潜力-从太阳能收集窗口到量子计算的量子位。我们的努力还将通过改进矿石分选技术来提高采矿的可持续性。更广泛地说，这个拟议的研究项目将为HQP提供独特的技术技能，并加强领导力培训，确保他们能够成为领导者，准备好满足学术界和工业界的需求。最终，支持像我这样的合作和创新研究将确保加拿大作为全球领导者的地位得到提升。

Modern science and engineering rely more and more extensively on the utilization of technologically advanced forms of spectroscopy. In fields as diverse as medicine, biology, physics, chemistry, and material science, there is a constant effort to develop novel spectroscopic tools and techniques as they play a fundamental role in the generation of new intuition, concepts, and understandings. Ultrafast spectroscopy employs femtosecond optical pulses to probe materials on ultrashort time scales. The research program encompasses two separate thrusts. First, these pulses can create controlled non-equilibrium electronic conditions to reveal physical properties not accessible at equilibrium. Generally, these photonic-based coherent control methods are implemented to drive and control internal quantum states in the condensed phase and are critical towards the full understanding, as well as eventual practical implementation, of quantum materials (QM) for future quantum technologies. Toward this end we pursue the development of new/customized femtosecond laser sources and accompanying spectroscopic techniques - such as time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy - to unravel properties of QM. By applying expertise in ultrafast optics, material growth and condensed matter, the research program aims to meet the extreme requirements of these sources enabling the photonic manipulation of quantum states and phases. Second, the development of a new visible/near ultraviolet Dual Frequency Comb Spectroscopy (DFCS) system for optical spectroscopy of ablation plasmas initially, and QM characterization in the longer term. DFCS has emerged as a technique combining high frequency resolution, broad spectral coverage and rapid acquisition for spectroscopic probing of materials, but there is a lack of DFCS sources in the visible spectral region. Our short-term goal is to develop a broad instantaneous DFCS comb source with high spectral brightness and tuneability. We will use this source to develop real time sorting of mining ore based on elemental and mineralogical composition. Longer term, this source will be integrated into a multidimensional coherent spectroscopy system for studying coupling and coherence in QM. By adapting approaches and refining expertise established in optical physics, we are constructing new laser-based ultrafast spectroscopy sources and associated techniques and applying them to unlock the vast potential of QM - from solar harvesting windows to qubits for quantum computing. Our efforts will also improve the mining sustainability through improve ore sorting technology. More broadly, this proposed research program will provide HQP with unique technical skills along with enhanced leadership training, ensuring that they are able to emerge as leaders ready to meet the demands of both academia and industry. Ultimately, supporting collaborative and innovative research like mine will ensure that Canada's position as a global leader grows.