About the Lab

Table-top attosecond X-ray (0.1 - 10 keV) photon source is being developed in this laboratory. It will provide unprecedented spectral bandwidth by irradiating noble gas atoms such as helium and neon with high-power mid-wave infrared (MIR, 3-8 micron) lasers, which are not commercially available. The MIR laser will be developed based on converting short wavelength light into long wavelength radiation. It will be the most powerful, wavelength tunable MIR laser in the world.

An attosecond X-ray absorption spectroscopy set-up will be established, which allows the flow of a charged particle from one element to another to be traced with atomic-scale resolution. Visible lasers have been the major tools for time-resolving motion of charged particles but cannot locate them precisely in time and space. Attosecond X-ray spectroscopy system represents a transformational advance toward probing and controlling some of the fastest processes underlying solar cells and quantum materials, at the foundations of physical chemistry.

The research will be carried out by a diverse group of students, postdoctoral fellows and scientists in order to build a critical mass of expertise in Canada. This unique platform will train students and postdoctoral fellows for future positions in academia, industry and government. The critical know-how will be transferred to Canadian laser companies through incorporation of discoveries into a new generation of lasers, X-ray sources, solar cells, and quantum materials. Through partnerships with industry, academia and government, we are positioning Canada to advance the next big wave of photonics research and innovation.