Ultrabright Sources of Extreme Ultraviolet Attosecond Radiation

The internal mechanics of atomic and molecular electronic systems operate on a timescale of attoseconds (10-18s) which, in turn, leads to a requirement for sources of intense bursts of light on this same timescale both for the control and probing of such ultrafast dynamics [1]. One promising route to such a source is the intense interaction of a laser pulse with a solid density plasma surface which leads to relativistic electron motion and a nonlinear modulation of the incident field corresponding to the presence of ultrahigh frequencies confined to attosecond scale bursts [2].

This project will focus on the development of novel methods of optimising and characterising the generation of such attosecond pulses from intense femtosecond laser interactions with solid targets. This will comprise of both experimental work and the use of numerical simulation codes to model the interaction. The successful applicant will work alongside experienced researchers in the Centre for Plasma Physics and will be particularly involved in the planning and implementation of experiments both on the Taranis laser system and at a variety of major facilities globally (eg. the Central Laser Facility in the UK and the JETI200 laser at the Helmholtz Institute Jena in Germany). As such, this project will provide the opportunity to travel and work alongside researchers from across the world.

Entry Requirements: 2:1 (or equivalent) in a cognate physical sciences or engineering discipline.