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Spiers Memorial Lecture: From optical to THz control of materials
1Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, Auguste-Piccard-Hof 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. johnson@phys.ethz.ch.
Faraday Discussions
|June 24, 2022
Summary
Researchers are exploring intense electromagnetic pulses to control material properties. Minimizing energy dissipation is key for future advancements, especially with higher frequency light like X-rays.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Recent advances enable control over material properties using intense electromagnetic radiation.
- Frequencies range from optical (1 PHz) down to sub-terahertz (1 THz).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review new experimental and computational methods for controlling material properties with electromagnetic pulses.
- To address the challenge of energy dissipation and heating in these processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing intense electromagnetic pulses (optical to sub-THz) to drive and observe transient material properties.
- Employing advanced computational techniques to understand nonequilibrium dynamics.
- Investigating shaped X-ray pulses for future material control.
Main Results:
- New experimental and computational methods have improved the understanding and control of material properties.
- Energy dissipation and uncontrolled heating remain significant limitations.
- Lower frequency or highly specific excitations can minimize energy loss.
Conclusions:
- Control over material properties via electromagnetic pulses has advanced significantly.
- Addressing heat dissipation is crucial for utilizing higher frequency light, such as X-rays, for material control.
- Future research may leverage shaped X-ray pulses if thermal issues are resolved.
