Illumination Emergent Quantum Materials by Attosecond Pulses
Abstract
This proposal aims to reveal the crucial light-matter interaction between attosecond pulses and emergent quantum materials such as topological insulators, and three-dimensional (3D) Dirac and Weyl semimetals. Topological insulators (TIs) are new quantum matter characterized by an insulating bulk state and gapless, spin-polarized, and linearly dispersive (Dirac cone) surface states, whereas both surface (Fermi arc like) and bulk (linearly dispersive Dirac like) states are interesting in Dirac and Weyl semimetals. Given the coexistence in close proximity of phases of matter, which respond differently to light, these novel materials provide a fascinating playing field in which the understanding of light-matter interaction can provide ways to manipulate properties for possible technological applications. The recent advances in attosecond science offer an opportunity to investigate the dynamics of the fundamental processes in condensed matter physics such as interactions that take place over multiple degrees of freedom in quantum materials which lead to complex and fascinating ultrafast time scales, ranging from a few femtosecond (1fs =10-15 sec) down to a few tens of attoseconds (1as =10-18 sec). This proposal aims to expose the motion of electrons of these quantum materials on an atomic scale as well as to reveal the following physical properties: (i) optical signature of the surface versus bulk states in proposed quantum materials, (ii) transport times for photoelectrons originated from localized core levels, delocalized valence bands, and unoccupied states after excitation in these quantum materials, (iii) temperature dependent surface photocurrent, (iv) dependence of the material band structure on photoemission lifetimes and corresponding escape depths, (v) polarized light induced phase transition. The success of this proposal will build a bridge between the condensed matter and attosecond communities, thus opening a new research direction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2017
- Source ID
- FA95501710415
Entities
People
- Madhab Neupane
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Central Florida