Next-generation light sources

Projects

A.1.5 | Development of advanced dispersive optics

A.1.6 | Fundamentals of optical parametric amplification

More than 40 years after the invention of the laser, coherent light is now available at many different wavelengths, confined to a narrow range of frequencies typically spread over much less than an octave. Synchronising the hyperfast oscillations of intense light fields at a vast number of differing wavelengths distributed over many octaves will be systematically tackled for the first time in this MAP enterprise, drawing on the expertise of groups that have pioneered relevant technologies. Successful realisation of our long-term objectives will result in

a “frequency ruler” comprising radiation at precisely equidistant frequencies stretching all the way from the infrared to x-ray frequencies (over some 10 octaves) and
light pulses whose electric fields can be tailored on an attosecond time scale and may become strong enough to completely ionise atoms and accelerate electrons to relativistic energies within a tiny fraction of their oscillation period.

Once achieved, light field control of this degree will be a revolution in optical science. Long-term implications include dramatic advances in measuring frequency and time as well as compact particle accelerators and x-ray lasers. The sources to be developed here will constitute the primary technological pillars of the Centre.

Major goals

Generation of useful photon fluxes from ir (→ 10 μm) and xuv (→ 50 nm) frequency combs for biological microscopy (C.3) and of non-classical light
precision xuv spectroscopy (B.2)
sythesis of uv/vis/nir and ir ultrawide-band light waves with fields adjustable on a sub-fs scale for controlling electronic and molecular dynamics (C.1, C.2) and of few-cycle waves up to petawatt power levels for high-field applications (A.2, B.1)