FSU Research Hero Image

The ability to manipulate and alter matter with intense light fields on very short timescales has the potential to have a transformative effect on a range of scientific and technological endeavors in the coming decades. With extremely high peak powers delivered in exceedingly brief periods of time, ultrafast pulses of light provide the perfect tools to pursue these ideas. They allow the exploration of nonlinear phenomena across broad regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as the measurements of fast electron dynamics in matter. Starting with the development of a strong and unique suite of ultrafast capabilities from the ground up at OIST, and sharing OIST’s vision to pursue creative, interdisciplinary research.

The ability to synthesize, engineer & observe low dimensional materials, with properties determined by variations on the nanometer length scale has led to novel phenomena and applications. On the other hand, modern lasers deliver powerful, ultrashort pulses of light allowing us to observe the interaction of electrons and atoms on the femtosecond timescale. Together, these technologies allow us to study new paradigms in light-matter interaction – with femtosecond temporal resolution and nanometer spatial resolution. Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit has directed these broad capabilities towards four areas of study:

1. Excitons in Momentum Space
2. Defects in Perovskite photovoltaics
3. Emerging Technologies with extreme light
4. Intra-OIST Research