Coherent Imaging and Nanoscale Materials Characterization using Ultrafast Laser-Generated X-rays

Next-generation nano and quantum systems and devices are becoming increasingly complex, with their behavior governed by interface quality or precise chemical, interfacial or dopant composition. Furthermore, characterizing their functional as well as structural properties is becoming increasingly challenging as these structures shrink, requiring new capabilities and techniques.

Tabletop-scale short-wavelength light sources based on high-order harmonic generation provide a unique light source that can be used to probe the nanoworld in novel ways. The high harmonic process makes use of attosecond time-scale quantum dynamics to coherently upconvert laser light to short wavelengths ranging from the deep-UV to keV soft x-rays. The coherence of the upconversion allows for unparalleled control over the spectral, temporal, and polarization properties as well as the orbital angular momentum of the emitted x-ray beam. This provides a powerful new tool, for example for diffraction-limited coherent x-ray imaging, for coherently manipulating quantum materials using light, and for extracting functional transport, electronic, magnetic and mechanical properties using time resolved measurements.