Attosecond science

Attosecond science is the study of processes that occur on a time scale of a few attoseconds (10-18 seconds) or less. Examples include the ionization and recollision of an electron from its parent atom or molecule. The speed of these phenomena means that they can only be investigated using optical techniques employing ultrafast lasers.

Latest Research and Reviews

All Research & Reviews

News and Comment

  • News & Views |

    A sub-cycle modulation in reflectivity is observed in bulk crystals subjected to intense laser fields. The effect provides a new way to probe attosecond dynamics in materials.

    • Shambhu Ghimire
    Nature Photonics 16, 7-9

  • News & Views |

    Tunnelling currents inside plasmonic nanostructures are fast enough to gain direct access to the oscillating electric field of near-infrared and visible light, opening up exciting routes towards attosecond metrology of light–matter interaction and unique approaches to spectroscopy.

    • Nicholas Karpowicz
    Nature Photonics 15, 408-410

  • News & Views |

    The combination of high-order harmonic polarimetry and sub-cycle control of electronic trajectories gives insight into the birth of attosecond electronic wave packets in molecules.

    • Giuseppe Sansone
    Nature Photonics 14, 131-133

  • News & Views |

    High-order harmonics in the extreme-ultraviolet regime can be produced and a stable waveform-locked attosecond pulse can be formed when quartz is excited by a strong short-pulsed laser, providing a robust path towards attosecond photonics.

    • Shambhu Ghimire
    Nature Photonics 12, 256-257
All News & Comment