Under the title “LIGHT a Multifaceted Phenomenon”, the MPL celebrated the International Day of Light 2024 with a lecture series. Enjoy Prof. Dr. Peter Hommelhoff’s talk: “Ultra-fast control of electrons with light”

Abstract:
Our research evolves around new ways of electrons control based on light, be it free electrons or electrons inside of matter. With swift free electron beams, we pursue research towards an on-chip laser particle accelerator as well as quantum-coherent coupling of electrons and light. With electrons laser-emitted from nanoscale needle tips, we investigate attosecond physics at the surface of solids. We also perform electron correlation measurements and, most recently and jointly with the Chekhova group, investigate electron emission with non-classical light. In a third research directions, we look at electrons inside of graphene. We could show fully coherent electron dynamics, could demonstrate a potentially petahertz-bandwidth logic gate, and most recently venture into Floquet-Bloch physics and valley-selective currents. The talk will give an overview over our recent activities.