Femtosecond Laser System for Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Quantum Materials

Major Goals: This proposal focuses on the acquisition of a state-of-the-art "Spectra-Physics" femtosecond laser system in order to conduct cutting-edge spectroscopic studies of nonequilibrium dynamics in quantum materials (i. e. strongly correlated materials exhibiting cooperative phenomena) at the fundamental timescales of atomic and electronic motion, and to train STEM students in the area of ultrafast science and condensed matter physics. The location of "Spectra-Physics" femtosecond laser system: Physics Department, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez (UPRM). This laser system enables conducting current research at UPRM at a contemporary level and to establish new research programs to explore time-dependent properties of electronic and structural phase transitions, exotic nonequilibrium quantum phases, magnetic phenomena and spin dynamics, statistical properties of surface dynamics and transition processes in mesoscale and nanoscale structures. The "Spectra-Physics" laser system is a single unit of equipment to generate laser pulses of ~35 fs duration, 7 mJ/pulse energy at 1 kHz repetition rate with unmatched pulse-to-pulse stability and provides entirely computer-controlled spectral tuning within 290-2600 nm spectral range. The laser system with these parameters will provide substantially new research capabilities for our group in the area of modern ultrafast spectroscopy to observe material dynamics at sub-35 fs temporal resolution with high spectral selectivity. This enables detailed studies of coherent lattice motion, spin and electronic dynamics and coupling between these degrees of freedom. The laser system generates unprecedentedly short and high-peak intensity electromagnetic pulses, which is critical to conduct nondestructive experiments with a clear separation between electronic and phonon dynamics of solid.