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H2020Doctoral network2015–2019

HICONO · High-Intensity Coherent Nonlinear Optics

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2015-10-01 → 2019-09-30
EU contribution
€2,338,562
Participants
8
Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

High-Intensity Coherent Nonlinear Optics

Laser-based, photonic technologies exhibit a major key technology of the 21st century, with a large impact in a vast range of high-end optics applications. Extension of the range of such scientific and commercial laser applications requires a constant expansion of the accessible regimes of laser operation. Concepts from nonlinear optics, in particular driven with ultra-fast lasers, provide all means to achieve this goal. However, nonlinear optics typically suffer from efficiencies well below unity, e.g. if high-order processes are involved or if the driving laser pulse intensities must be limited below damage thresholds (e.g. in nonlinear microscopy of living cells, or nonlinear spectroscopy of combustion processes in engines). Thus, we require methods to enhance nonlinear optical processes. The field of “coherent control” provides techniques to manipulate laser-matter interactions. The basic idea is to use appropriately designed light-matter interactions to steer quantum systems towards a desired outcome, e.g. to support nonlinear optical processes. HICONO aimed at novel methods for coherent control, applied to support high-intensity ultra-fast nonlinear optics. This established novel and efficient types of light sources, e.g. to generate extreme-ultraviolet radiation, ultra-broad spectra or intense attosecond laser pulses. HICONO introduced novel concepts for ultra-fast spectroscopy and microscopy, and stimulated novel developments in laser technology, e.g. to provide novel ultra-fast light sources or new devices to characterize ultra-fast light pulses. HICONO involved three scientific work packages: (WP1) “Coherent control of high-intensity frequency conversion” deals with the development, implementation and investigation of coherent control scenarios to steer frequency conversion, driven by high-intensity laser pulses. (WP2) “High-intensity nonlinear spectroscopy and microscopy” deals with implementations and applications of high-intensity nonlinear optical processes in spectroscopy and microscopy, e.g. to monitor ultra-fast chemical dynamics by high-harmonic generation, and to develop novel variants of coherent harmonic microscopy. (WP3) “Ultra-short pulse measurement and characterization” deals with enabling technologies to precisely measure and characterize complex light fields.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Optical laser-based technologies are a key technology of the 21st century. Extension of the range of scientific and commercial laser applications requires a constant expansion of the accessible regimes of laser operation. Concepts from nonlinear optics, driven with ultra-fast lasers provide all means to achieve this goal. However, nonlinear optics typically suffer from low efficiencies, e.g. if high-order processes are involved or if the driving laser pulse intensities must be limited below damage thresholds (e.g. in nonlinear microscopy of living cells, or nonlinear spectroscopy of com-bustion processes). Hence, we require methods to enhance nonlinear optical processes. The field of “coherent control” provides techniques to manipulate laser-matter interactions. The idea is to use appropriately designed light-matter interactions to steer quantum systems towards a desired out-come, e.g. to support nonlinear optical processes.The goal of HICONO is to combine the concepts of coherent control with high-intensity nonlinear-optical interactions. The particular aim is to enhance the efficiency of nonlinear optical processes and extend the range of high-intensity laser applications. HICONO will develop new coherent con-trol strategies matched to high-intensity nonlinear optics. This will push high-order frequency con-version towards larger output yield, enable novel applications in high-resolution spectroscopy and microscopy, and drive novel technologies for ultra-short pulse generation and characterization. The close cooperation of HICONO with industry partners will lead to commercially relevant devices.In terms of training, HICONO aims at the development of young researchers with appropriate skills to exploit the concepts of high-intensity laser technologies, laser-based control, and applied nonlinear optics. HICONO provides a unique, very broad and technology-oriented early-stage training program with strong exposure of the fellows to industry environment.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DARMSTADT · DarmstadtCoordinatorGermany
  • AMETEK GMBH · MEERBUSCHGermany
  • FASTLITE · ANTIBESFrance
  • FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES · CastelldefelsSpain
  • IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE · LondonUnited Kingdom
  • THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · OxfordUnited Kingdom
  • THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST · BELFASTUnited Kingdom
  • WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE · RehovotIsrael

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union