The current frontier of solid-state physics involves the study of materials exhibiting quantum-mechanical effects over wide energy and length scales, earning the title “quantum materials”. In these systems, reduced dimensionality, electron-electron interactions and/or topological constraints give rise to unconventional ground states, such as high-temperature superconductivity, self-organizing electronic crystals, topological insulators, quantum spin liquids and spin ices. Further progress in the research on quantum materials hinges on two major challenges: identifying the microscopic origin of these complex electronic systems and realizing novel states and functionalities both in- and out-of-equilibrium.
Ultrafast optical methods open new opportunities in both these directions, as optical perturbations are able to: (1) coherently excite collective dynamics of the quantum ground state that cannot be easily accessed with equilibrium spectroscopy, and (2) create transient states or reveal “hidden” phases due to the abrupt interaction with the electromagnetic field.
Our research focuses on the investigation and the control of collective electronic behavior in quantum materials at ultrafast timescales. We aim to combine advanced ultrafast optical and scattering methods to:
- understand the elementary excitation spectrum of complex solids;
- tailor novel physical properties out of equilibrium with ultrafast light pulses;
- and, in the process, develop new spectroscopic tools.
Here is a short list of our current research interests, and of our technical methods.