Project description
Real-time imaging of electron motion at their natural spatial and temporal scales
Electron motion in molecular systems plays a significant role in natural processes such as photosynthesis and photooxidation, as well as in emerging technologies such as solar cells, artificial photosynthesis and molecular electronics. Studying electron dynamics at their natural spatial and temporal scales – down to attoseconds and picometres, is key to fully understanding these processes. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STED project aims to image and control electron dynamics in molecular systems with unprecedented precision. To do so, researchers will combine continuous-wave and ultrafast laser pulses with low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy. The proposed research could reveal the origins of inefficiencies in electronic transport, with possible implications for photovoltaics and quantum technologies.
Objective
The STED project aims at giving an important push to the scientific career of the applicant, in a timely and interdisciplinary topic: imaging the early stages of quantum motion of electrons at their natural space-time scales, i.e. with picometer and attosecond/femtosecond resolutions. The project will take place at IMDEA Nanoscience, a leading multidisciplinary research center dedicated to nanoscience and the development of nanotechnology applications in connection with innovative industries.
Electron motion in molecular systems is responsible for natural processes such as photosynthesis, photooxidation, or electronic transport. It is also at the heart of novel technologies based on photovoltaic devices, artificial photosynthesis, molecular wires, etc. Understanding the underlying electron dynamics demands investigating these processes at their natural spatial and temporal scales. In the STED project, I will build a setup where a CW laser and few-femtosecond long laser pulses will be combined with a low-temperature STM. This setup will allow me to image and eventually control electron dynamics occurring in different molecular systems deposited on solid substrates at electronic time scales from hundreds of attoseconds to a few femtoseconds, with simultaneous sub-molecular spatial resolution. I will focus on investigating Rabi oscillations of individual phthalocyanine molecules, and charge-transfer processes between a donor and an acceptor phthalocyanine. The goals are to spectroscopically characterize the induced electron dynamics in real space with the CW laser, and subsequently provide the 'film' of the distribution of the electronic density in real time and real space with the pulsed laser source. This will allow me, e.g. to understand the origin of early sources of decoherences that reduce the efficiency of electronic transport, with possible implications in photovoltaics and quantum information technologies.
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.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.
28049 Madrid
Spain
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.