Abstract collage of overlapping, bright-colored glowing circles
Event ended Lectures

Science at the Timescale of the Electron

About this event

PROFESSOR MARGARET MURNANE

JILA (U. Colorado & NIST) 

ABSTRACT

Ever since the invention of the laser 50 years ago, scientists have been striving to extend coherent laser-like beams into the X-ray region of the spectrum.  Very recently, we used tabletop femtosecond lasers to create bright beams of X-rays at wavelengths <1 nm, by harnessing a new ability to manipulate electrons on their natural, attosecond (10-18 s), time-scales[1].    Ultrafast X-rays are powerful probes of the nanoworld.  They penetrate thick samples and can image small objects.  This talk will also highlight how ultrafast X-rays can capture the coupled motions of charges, spins, phonons, and photons that underlie function in nanosystems on the fastest timescales.  Experiences regarding technology transfer can also be discussed.

1. Popmintchev et al., Science 336, 1287 (2012).

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

Please see  http://jila.colorado.edu/kmgroup/bio/murnane