Aarhus Universitets segl

Ultrafast Dynamics of Quantum Materials

Welcome

We are a research group at Aarhus University that exploits ultra-short pulses of laser light from across the entire electromagnetic spectrum to explore and control the properties of materials.

Our focus is on understanding the properties of "quantum materials", materials that show interesting and unexpected phenomena at unusually high temperatures, such as high temperature superconductivity. By using photons that range in energy from 5 meV to 15 keV we can study atomic, spin and electron dynamics on nanometer lengthscales and femtosecond timescales.

Our work exploits laboratory sources of laser light, as well as the use of X-ray lasers around the world. 

Interested in joining? 

Are you interested in joining our group as a Postdoc or PhD student, or for a masters or bachelor's project? If so, contact us now to discuss the possibilities.

New Publication in Optics Express

Our paper on using the change in reflectivity in materials resulting from coherent phonons as a tool for determining the spectral phase of a laser pulse has been published in Optics Express.

All data is open access and available from Zenodo

01/2024

New pre-print available

Our paper "Determination and correction of spectral phase from principal component analysis of coherent phonons" is now available as a pre-print on the arXiv. 

In this work, we show a new method for determining the spectral phase of a probe pulse based on coherent phonon analysis that is useful for studying pulses used in experimental setups where direct diagnosis is not possible. 

11/2023

New Group Members

Signe Gade Balslev and Nitesh Khatiwada also join the group for their masters thesis work. 

10/2023

New Group Member

Hanna Strojecka joins the group as a masters student. Welcome Hanna!

09/2023

New Pre-Print

We have uploaded our latest work on using multi-pulse excitation to reduce the energy costs of the photo-induced phase transition on the arXiv. 

Read more here: arXiv:2309.13275 

09/2023

New Publication in Nature Physics

Our work using the SACLA FEL to study the dynamics of the photo-induced phase transition in VO2 when excited at low temperatures has been published in Nature Physics!

This work shows that elements beyond simple changes in the atomic potentials are needed to re-create the dynamics of the phase transition. 

06/2023

Nature Physics Cover!

Our work, recently publihsed in Nature Physics was made the cover story for the February print edition!

02/2023

New Publication in Nature Physics

Our work of imaging the spatial dynamics of the insulator metal phase transition has been published in Nature Physics!

In this work, not only do we image dynamics of the phase transition with <50 nm spatial resolution and < 150 fs temporal resolution, but we also are able to perform spectroscopy on the transient state enabling us to identify differences between the light induced phase and the thermal phase.

12/2022

New Publication

Our work in understanding how photoexcitation changes the lattice potential in V2O3 has now been published in Physical Review Letters. 

12/2022

ERC StG for former group member

Congratulations to our former postdoc, Ernest Pastor, who has been awarded an ERC starting grant - PhotoDefect. 

Good luck with the new project!

European Research Council awards €636m in grants to emerging science talent across Europe | ERC (europa.eu)

11/2022