Pillar 1
Ultrafast & Nonlinear Optics
The archetypical objective of quantum photonics is to investigate strategies and technologies capable of coherently controlling nano-, macro-, and mesoscopic properties of technologically relevant quantum materials and systems using structured light to exploit ultrafast and nonlinear phenomena. We explore novel ultrafast and nonlinear optics concepts to generate and use light by design.
Areas of application
- Structured Photonics
- Quantum electrodynamics
- Frequency combs and attosecond metrology
- THz science and technology
- Applied machine learning in photonics
Pillar 2
Quantum Electrodynamics & Molecular Dynamics
Light by design bears a unique inquisitive power to excite and probe dynamic molecular processes in atomic, molecular, and condensed matter physics. These tools can be used to deepen our understanding of fundamental processes underpinning energy and life sciences. In this topical area, we examine new opportunities in two underpinning molecular systems, water and carbon dioxide, and their role in physical and bio-chemistry.
Areas of application
- Physical chemistry and biochemistry
- (Soft) condensed matter physics
- Environmental engineering
- Topological catalysis
Pillar 3
Accelerators & X-ray Free Electron Lasers
Unifying laser and accelerator physics is essential for the development of future accelerators, light sources, and other scientific instruments due to increasingly synergistic advances at the cross-section between these two fields. This has materialized advanced facilities around the world, such as XFELs for ultrafast photon sciences, and electron and ion sources for high energy physics and fusion energy sciences, among many others.
Areas of application
- Laser-matter interactions and nano-optics
- On-chip electron beam sources
- Compact X-ray sources
- Free-electron Laser science and technology
- Electron beam shaping
- Ultrafast electron diffractiong and microscopy
Pillar 4
HI-STEM (Humanities-Informed STEM)
Exercising representative science requires not only diverse and inclusive researchers but also a continual examination of the interconnectedness of normative logics and hierarchies of power with how scientific knowledge is produced. Queering specific normalized categories in physical sciences and engineering, and mapping linkages with systems of political and economic power, humanities, and social sciences has a unique capacity to educate the STEM workforce and research activities to critically examine their role and responsibility in shaping society.