Final Report Summary - TDMET (Time-resolving electron dynamics in molecules by time-dependent many-electron theory)
One of the current main goals of the research area "Strong-field and attosecond physics" is to follow the motion of electrons and nuclei inside atoms and molecules on their natural time and length scales. This goal is interesting because its fulfilment will lead to an increased understanding of the microscopic quantum mechanical world, with potential applications in a range of new technologies. The goal can be realised thanks to the development of new light sources and detection techniques, giving us access to the probing of matter at unprecedented short time scales (down to the attosecond timescale) and length scales. In parallel with the experimental developments, new theories should be developed to be able to rationalise the outcomes of experiments, and to fully understand their implications and to point to new directions. The development of such theory has been the topic of the ERC Starting Grant project TDMET, time-dependent many-electron theory.
In this project, theories have been developed, implemented in efficient computer codes, and applied to timely problems. The theory accounts in an accurate and controllable manner for the interaction between the electrons inside the atoms and molecules, as well as for the interaction between the electrons and the nuclei. The theory has been applied to a range of timely problems within strong-field and attosecond physics. The role of the electron-electron and electron-nuclear correlations were elucidated by modelling a series of typical experimental situations. What we have learned and produced during the project will be used by the scientific community in the future. Some of the findings will find applications in related research fields, as for example, the one of ultracold matter.
In this project, theories have been developed, implemented in efficient computer codes, and applied to timely problems. The theory accounts in an accurate and controllable manner for the interaction between the electrons inside the atoms and molecules, as well as for the interaction between the electrons and the nuclei. The theory has been applied to a range of timely problems within strong-field and attosecond physics. The role of the electron-electron and electron-nuclear correlations were elucidated by modelling a series of typical experimental situations. What we have learned and produced during the project will be used by the scientific community in the future. Some of the findings will find applications in related research fields, as for example, the one of ultracold matter.