Electron dynamics in atoms, molecules, solids and plasmas

C.1.1 | Pushing the frontiers of attosecond metrology and spectroscopy

C.1.2 | Electron-electron interactions in atoms

C.1.3 | Modelling attosecond pulse generation, attosecond metrology, and electron correlation in atoms

C.1.4 | Coherent electron dynamics & dephasing in isolated molecules and molecular nano-architectures

C.1.5 | Electronic charge transfer and screening on surfaces

C.1.6 | Theory and simulation of charge transfer dynamics on surfaces

C.1.7 | Collective electron dynamics in metallic nanoparticles

C.1.8 | Collective relativistic electron dynamics in dense matter

The atomic-scale motion of electrons not only governs the fundamental processes of our everyday lives, but is also of key importance to new technologies in the fields of information and life sciences. Furthermore, understanding the collective relativistic motion of electrons is vital to the development of new, compact particle and photon sources. All of these dynamics take place on an attosecond (as) time scale, hence their observation in real time requires measurement with attosecond resolution. Controlling them requires the ability to vary electric forces on the same time scale. These tools recently became available through the pioneering work of MAP scientists. This opened up the new field of attosecond physics, which, however, is still in its infancy. We propose to advance attosecond metrology and spectroscopy by producing attosecond pulses with photon energies beyond 1 keV and pulse durations approaching the atomic unit of time (24 as). The combination of these with coincidence spectroscopy, nanoscopy, diffraction, shadowgraphy, and light-field steering of electrons will provide the tools for the desired control and probing of attosecond electron motion. This represents a high-risk, high-gain enterprise. In the event of success, 4D imaging with Ångström-attosecond resolution will constitute a revolution in exploring the microcosm and pave the way towards new ultra brilliant electron, ion and x-ray sources.

• Extension of attosecond metrology and spectroscopy to photon energies of several hundred electronvolts, time resolution approaching the atomic unit of time (24 as)
• Extension to both condensed-phase systems and hot, dense matter: solids, molecules, nano-assemblies on surfaces and plasmas
• Proof-of-principle experiments towards combining nanometre spacial with attosecond time resolution