MEDEA · Molecular Electron Dynamics investigated by IntensE Fields and Attosecond Pulses

Molecular Electron Dynamics investigated by IntensE Fields and Attosecond Pulses

Ultrafast multielectronic processes occurring on the femtosecond and attosecond timescale is fundamental in determining the behaviour of the dynamics in molecules and clusters. The understanding of these phenomena might offer new perspectives on processes occurring on “slower” timescales, such as bond-breaking in complex molecules and Coulomb explosion in charged clusters.The aim of MEDEA was to create a network where Early Stage Resechears (ESRs) received an interdisciplinary and intersectoral comprehensive research training in one of the major field of Photonics (attosecond science) that was contributed by leading universities and research centers, and by key-player companies in the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art ultrafast laser sources and detection systems. The control of the electronic motion on this unprecedented time scale could lead to design of novel electronic devices for the processing of information at a much higher speed, than the one achievable today. In this perspectives, the experiments performed within the network could shed new light on the feasibility of devices based on the direct control of electronic wave packet using ultrashort femtosecond laser pulses. The main objectives were to: 1) advance attosecond and femtosecond XUV spectroscopy by combining in-depth investigation of fundamental electronic processes in simple systems with experiments in complex molecules with the goal of elucidating novel electron dynamics with potential impact in chemistry, surface science, and biology 2) demonstrate the feasibility of nonlinear attosecond XUV spectroscopy on the few-femtosecond and sub-femtosecond timescale 3) obtain benchmarks for the validation of attosecond tools and femtosecond XUV pulses for the time-resolved imaging of electron and nuclear dynamics in molecules 4) contribute to the development of new technological solutions that will increase the competiveness of the industrial partners of the network 5) train a group of ESRs and contribute to their career prospects by providing them with scientific expertise in complementary research fields, knowledge in technology and innovation management, and special training in communication and outreach skills 6) increase the interest of young students in the network’s core research field (Photonics) Novel laser sources were developed by the industrial partners of MEDEA. Such sources could become products on the market in the near future. The investigation of electronic dynamics in small molecules took advantage of the high-repetition rate source available now through the network. Similarly several groups achieved the extreme ultraviolet intensities required for the observation of nonlinear effects, making the available nonlinear spectroscopic tool also using table-top sources. Large collaboration at Free Electron Lasers have reported unique results, including the first coherent control experiment in the extreme ultraviolet region. ESRs strongly benefited from the variety of experimental setups realized.

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