Ultrafast Nanoscience

In the Ultrafast Nanoscience Group we use frequency- and time-resolved (magneto-)optical spectroscopy techniques, such as linear absorption, pump-probe, pump-push-probe and multidimensional spectroscopy to explore condensed matter, molecular and hybrid nanosystems. Currently, we mainly focus on the following research areas:

Ultrafast phenomena in condensed matter 

We focus on the generation and investigation of electronic excitations, such as plasmons and excitons, ranging from the visible to the mid-infrared, in metals, layered semiconductors and strongly correlated materials. Additionally, we artificially manipulate the geometry (shape, size, composition) of conventional materials to optically induce tailored ultrafast dynamics and electronic transitions, as well as ultrafast charge and spin generation, injection, and manipulation. The applications of these phenomena impact several technological areas, such as photonics and nanoelectronics.

Advanced functional materials

We investigate the fundamental physical properties of nanostructured functional metamaterials, including harmonic generation, nonlinear optical phenomena, and the optical control of chemical reactions. Our research combines various functions (optical, magnetic, acoustic and thermal), and explores their coupling with tailored materials and/or environments, such  as quantum emitters and/or molecules, for light-driven opto-electronics and polaritonic chemistry.

Ultrafast spectroscopy techniques

We develop ultrafast optical spectroscopy techniques, such as two-dimensional electronic and vibrational spectroscopy, and apply them to materials science and structural biology. In particular, we use these tools to unveil complex many body interactions in condensed matter systems and to underestand the structure-function relation in plasmids and proteins, as well as DNA-protein interaction mechanisms.

Funding

Our research at Umeå University is currently funded by the Swedish Research Council, the European Innovation Council, the European Research Council, the Kempestiftelserna, the Carl Tryggers Foundation, the Wenner-Gren Foundations, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks. We also acknowledge the support of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation through the Wallenberg Academy Fellows Programme. We are grateful to the Department of Physics and the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University, which jointly co-funded the establishment of our laboratory and the purchase of major equipment.