Research

We explore how the electric field of light can be used to probe, control, and engineer electron dynamics in quantum materials on their natural, ultrafast timescales. By combining waveform-controlled laser pulses with quantum materials and advanced spectroscopic techniques, we aim to understand how electrons move, remain coherent, interact, and form new states of matter far from equilibrium.

Our research is organized around three closely connected directions: Lightwave Electronics, Lightwave Quantum Spectroscopy, and Floquet Engineering.

Lightwave Electronics

Controlling electrons with the electric field of light. Instead of using conventional electronic voltages, we use the oscillating electric field of ultrashort laser pulses to steer charge carriers within a fraction of an optical cycle. This allows us to investigate the fundamental speed limits of electronics and to develop new concepts for petahertz-scale electronic and optoelectronic devices. Our work explores coherent currents, strong-field transport, high-harmonic generation, and direct sampling of electromagnetic fields on femtosecond and attosecond timescales.

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Lightwave Quantum Spectroscopy

Watching quantum electron dynamics within a single cycle of light. Ultrafast electron motion contains information about much more than charge transport. Its amplitude and phase encode band structure, quantum geometry, coherence, interactions, and topology. We develop sub-cycle-resolved and interferometric spectroscopy techniques that use strong light fields to access this information directly. Our goal is to follow coherent electron trajectories in real time and understand how quantum phases evolve, interfere, and eventually lose coherence in solids.

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Floquet Engineering

Using light to create electronic states that do not exist in equilibrium.

Strong periodic light fields can dress electrons and transiently reshape the electronic structure of a material. Through this process—known as Floquet engineering—we investigate how light can modify band structures, quantum geometry, and topological properties on ultrafast timescales.

We are particularly interested in creating and probing light-induced quantum states, including Floquet states in two-dimensional materials and light-induced topological phases.

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Our Experimental Approach

These research directions are connected by a common experimental platform combining few-cycle and waveform-controlled light sources from the visible to the mid-infrared, strong-field and high-harmonic spectroscopy, photocurrent measurements, and field-resolved detection techniques. We integrate these tools with quantum materials and nanoscale electronic devices to investigate light–matter interactions from microscopic electron motion to emergent quantum states.

Our research also extends to national user facilities, where ultrafast X-ray and attosecond sources provide complementary access to electronic, structural, and magnetic dynamics.

→ Explore our Light Sources

→ Explore our work at National Laboratories