Atomic, molecular and optical physics

The research of our group is mainly in theoretical strong-field and attosecond physics. The research is driven by experimental progress. The current development of new light sources makes it possible to investigate electron and nuclear motion in atoms and molecules at an unprecedented time scale - the scale of attoseconds (1 as =10^-18 s). With these developments, researchers can now study some of the most fundamental aspects of basic natural science, such as chemical bond formation and charge migration, in real-time! However, theory that adequately describes such dynamics, even in a much, much simpler setting, is lacking. In particular the correlation between the charged particles has to be more accurately accounted for. The development of such theory is what we are working on. This theory will help us to elucidate how electrons and nuclei move in atoms and molecules; the building blocks of Nature. We have the chance to gain new insights that are fundamental and could pave the way for new scientific and technological breakthroughs.

 

The production of attosecond pulses is based on the interaction between matter and intense laser pulses, so one can consider attosecond physics as a spin-off from strong-field physics.  We have had attosecond pulses for little more than a decade, so the field is maturing. A number of measurement techniques have been established and have been accompanied by theoretical modelling for relatively simple atomic systems that could often be reasonably accurately described by an effective theory involving only a single electron. The next new challenge is to extend the attosecond physics schemes to larger molecules and condensed matter systems, a process that has recently started.

 

Individual bachelor projects are offered. Supervision will be mostly through the postdocs and PhD students in the group.

For more information visit the homepage www.phys.au.dk/bojer