Materials Sciences Division
|
Materials Sciences Division |
(These opportunities are available through Undergraduate Fellowship Programs administered by the Center for Science & Engineering Education. If interested, application must be made through the appropriate program, see the CSEE College & University Programs web page).
Ultrafast Spectroscopy.
Ultrafast Laser and X-ray Science
This research group uses ultrafast short-pulse lasers and x-rays to probe the movement of atoms, electrons and molecules on the femtosecond (10-15 sec) time scale. On these time scales, one can capture molecular vibrations, phase transitions, electron transport, and chemical reactions as they happen. They use optical spectroscopy techniques in which femtosecond laser pulses are used to measure changes in sample absorption, reflectivity etc. on the ultrafast time scale. They also use x-ray techniques in which femtosecond x-ray pulses are used to measure diffraction and absorption as a direct indicator of atomic positions and dynamics.
A summer 2005 student in this group will have the opportunity to participate in setting up and aligning a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser system, including alignment diagnostics and methods for characterizing the femtosecond laser pulses. S/he will also have the opportunity to participate in characterizing a new x-ray beamline for generating femtosecond x-rays at the Advanced Light Source synchrotron. Finally, s/he will have the opportunity to participate in exciting experiment using femtosecond lasers and x-rays to probe some of the fastest dynamics occurring in nature.
The student will learn about femtosecond lasers, optics, x-rays, and the various techniques and equipment used in this research. S/he will also learn about some of the interesting questions in condensed matter physics, chemistry, and materials science that can be addressed using ultrafast techniques.
Enthusiasm, motivation, and an interest in hands-on learning will contribute to success in this position.
Majors: physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, or related field.
Mentor: Robert W. Schoenlein
MS: 2-300
Phone: (510) 486-6557
email: rwschoenlein@lbl.gov
Student Research Abstract; Summer, 2005
posted: 1 February 2005
This group explores the physics of semiconductor nanostructures and strongly correlated materials using ultrafast and nonlinear optical spectroscopy. Beside the apparent importance for understanding the properties of real-life materials, this topic gives us the opportunity to test fundamental ideas of quantum mechanics and many-body systems in table-top experiments (see also http://www-als.lbl.gov/als/chemla/). The group employs several laser labs with state-of-the-art techniques to generate ultrashort pulses around 10-100 fs duration, where 1 fs corresponds to a timespan of 10-15 seconds. Experimental capabilities are widened by cryogenic and high magnetic-field setups and by nonlinear frequency conversion that allows generation of light from the far-infrared to beyond the visible. Summer students have the opportunity to work on projects embedded in ongoing group research. They can learn about ultrafast lasers and nonlinear optics, high magnetic fields, low temperature techniques, or condensed matter spectroscopy. Projects can involve spectroscopy of quasi zero- or one-dimensional systems using nonlinear optical techniques, four-wave-mixing in low-dimensional semiconductor quantum wells, or generation and characterization of high-harmonic pulses in the soft X-ray regime. A strong background in optics, physics, or electrical engineering is helpful for success.
Majors: Physics, Electrical Engineering, with interest in optics.
Mentors: Robert A. Kaindl, Daniel Chemla
Mailstop: MS 2-350
Phone/Fax: 510/486-7475,-6695
email: RAKaindl@lbl.gov
Re-Posted: 11 March 2008
For more information about the Materials Sciences Division visit the MSD Website
This page was last modified on 11 March 2008