Project description
Understanding electrons better could help us zoom in on dynamically changing bonds
Optical techniques for visualising the world around us have progressed tremendously since the first light microscopes about 400 years ago. Ultrafast strong-field imaging techniques relying on strong laser fields are propelling us into the future. We are on the threshold of watching molecular dynamics in real time – bond formation and breaking and chemical reactions in progress with time resolution on the scale of attoseconds (one billionth of one billionth of a second). However, until recently the theoretical models upon which such imaging techniques are based have ignored electron spin and spin-orbit coupling (between the electron's spin and its orbit around the nucleus). The EU-funded SSFI project is integrating cutting-edge numerical models with unique experimental measurements of strong-field processes to develop a mathematical description facilitating pioneering ultrafast molecular imaging technologies.
Objective
Molecular movies depicting chemical reactions via attosecond (10^-18 s) snapshots, which vastly improve our understanding of molecular dynamics is within our grasp. Strong-field imaging techniques under development, such as photoelectron holography, promise just this. However, up until very recently all strong-field theoretical models have neglected spin and spin-orbit coupling. Initial work including spin in the initial state, along with recent experiments, has shown that spin in strong-field processes is vitally important, leading to different ionisation probabilities which in turn may alter the all important electron dynamics. In this project, I will utilise and develop cutting edge theoretical frameworks to fully include electron spin for strong-field processes in atoms and molecules. I will develop a semi-analytic model, which fully includes spin and spin-orbit coupling for single active electron and two active electron cases. This is motivated by the long history of semi-analytic methods that have been developed in this field, which have enabled unprecedented access into the electron dynamics for strong-field processes. As such, developing a model for spin will reveal deep new physical insight. I will validate the methodology by exploiting my supervisors expertise and contacts, collaborating with theorists employing complementary cutting-edge numerical models and with the only group of experimentalists to have performed spin measurements on strong-field processes. A proper treatment will allow more advanced and robust imaging techniques. I will explore the use of spin to enhance existing imaging processes such as photoelectron holography. Furthermore, I will develop the semi-analytic model for two electrons and explore spin entanglement and correlation with momentum in two-electron ionisation processes, to design entirely new imaging procedures. This analysis will also open up the possibility of exploiting this system for quantum information purposes.
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.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- humanities arts modern and contemporary art cinematography
- natural sciences chemical sciences
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
See all projects funded under this programme
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2019
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
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.