Subcycle momentum videography

From subcycle band-structure videography …

The most direct way to track how electrons move through crystalline solids is to follow their dynamics within the electronic band structure. In collaboration with Ulrich Höfer, we have developed the first band-structure videography reaching subcycle resolution. Our lead-off slow-motion movies visualize how lightwaves accelerate quasi-relativistic electron currents and transiently form Floquet-Bloch band structures within a single cycle of light.

Legal information about the decorative image: © Brad Baxley, PtW

… to subcycle orbital tomography

By carefully analyzing the angle dependence of electrons emitted by the photoeffect it is even possible to retrieve the spatial distribution of electronic orbitals of molecules. We will push this technique, called photoelectron orbital tomography (POT), to subcycle time scales to trace ultrafast conformation dynamics and even see the breaking of bonds in chemical reactions.

Open projects

Subcycle band-structure videography of the entire momentum space
In collaboration with the group of Ulrich Höfer (external link, opens in a new window), we aim to expand subcycle band-structure videography to cover the entire momentum space with attosecond precision. By combining terahertz strong-field control of electrons with latest photoelectron momentum microscopy, we aim for a microscopic understanding of some of the most discussed lightwave-driven phenomena in condensed matter physics.

Landau-Zener-Majorana transitions in graphene
We will exploit the new panoramic subcycle view of the entire momentum space to visualize a fundamental yet notoriously elusive strong-field process: non-adiabatic Landau-Zener-Majorana (LZM) tunneling. The interplay of field-driven acceleration within the Dirac-like band structure of graphene and periodic LZM interband tunneling will be directly resolved to provide long-sought-after key information for lightwave electronics.

Watching electronic orbitals during chemical reactions
Directly watching in slow-motion videos how electrons move in quantum mechanical orbitals and how this motion shapes the functionalities of condensed matter and drives chemical reactions has been a dream shared by all natural and life sciences. In the framework of the ERC Synergy Grant project Orbital Cinema (external link, opens in a new window) we will push POT to subcycle resolution and bring this dream to life.

Interested in joining us? Please send an email to Rupert Huber or Ulla Franzke.

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