Objective
Chirality, describing the “handedness” of a system, is a fundamental property of physical entities such as magnets, spins, the DNA double-helix, or circularly and elliptically polarized light. This proposal aims at employing intense ultrashort laser fields to control the chirality of two physical entities: photons of extreme-UV high harmonics, and free-flying electrons in a coherent pulsed beam.
Specifically, the proposal “UCHIRAL” entails two main objectives: First, we develop a bright ultrafast source of circularly polarized extreme-UV high harmonics with optically controlled helicity (left vs. right) by combining the applicant's expertise with chiral harmonics with the host's efficient source. We will then use these chiral extreme-UV pulses for imaging of nanoscale magnetic features in ferromagnetic metals, which is currently inaccessible for high harmonics. The difference between images acquired with left- vs. right-circularly polarized extreme-UV radiation can isolate magnetic effects from a non-magnetic background.
In a second system, we will coherently convert the chirality of optical near-fields into orbital angular momentum of a beam of free electrons. This interaction will be mediated by designed nanostructures exhibiting surface plasmon-polariton excitations with optically-controlled chirality. The envisaged mechanism relies on optical phase control of free electron wave functions in an ultrafast transmission electron microscope, which was recently established in the host institute.
Both aspects of the proposal address fundamental interactions of chiral light with matter, currently at different levels of maturity, with expected scientific and potentially industrial applications. In particular, ultrafast chiral microscopy based on photons (first objective) and electrons (second objective) may enable future technologies by tracking chiral dynamics in nanosystems with intrinsic handedness, ranging from magnetic storage materials to biomolecules.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics optoelectronics
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
37073 Gottingen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.