Research

We leverage advances in ultrafast laser technology, non-linear optics, pulse shaping methods, and next-generation light sources (e.g. synchrotrons and free electron lasers) from around the world to apply pulsed electromagnetic radiation, ranging from the terahertz regime (meV) to relativistic electrons (MeV), to novel molecular/ nanoscale materials and devices relevant to energy and quantum applications.

By deploying the pulses in strategically defined sequences, including multi-pulse 'pump-control-probe' schemes, we seek to both selectively control and visualize the motion, timescale, coherence, and energy of the elementary conduits (excitons, charges, spins, polarons, phonons etc.) that mediate critical physical and chemical processes, in particular the transduction of energy and information, in condensed media.

We then evaluate how steering the course of these processes alters the properties and performance of the materials and devices via a suite of in-operando optical, scattering and device-based probes. From these insights, and in close conjunction with world-leading materials synthesists, device engineers and theorists, we devise mechanistic toy models and intuitive design principles for the next frontier of nanoscale-enabled technologies.