Attosecond spectroscopy of ultrafast electron dynamics in liquids

Full description

The generation of attosecond pulses (1 as=10−18 s) during the nonlinear interaction of ultrashort light pulses with noble gases pushed the boundaries of ultrafast spectroscopy to the natural timescale of electron motion in matter. For this reason, the experimental methods that generate and characterize attosecond pulses of light were awarded the Noble Prize in Physics 2023 [1]. As of now, attosecond spectroscopy has been applied mainly to isolated systems, allowing the reconstruction of the photoemission process in real time [2,3] and the study the role of quantum effects (coherence, entanglement …) during photoionization [4,5]. Only recently, the domain of attosecond photoemission spectroscopy was extended to the liquid phase, where the electron wavepacket interacts with the environment during photoemission [6]. In this context, the role of electron-molecule scattering remains an open question.

During this internship, attosecond experiments will be performed on the ATTOLab laser platform to address this question. In particular the student will : i) contribute to the commissioning of a new ytterbium laser platform for the generation of attosecond pulses, ii) participate in attosecond spectroscopy measurements on water clusters, iii) work on attosecond spectroscopy experiments in the liquid phase using the liquid jet endstation of ATTOLab.

The student will be trained in ultrafast optics, atomic and molecular physics, and charged particle spectroscopy. They will also acquire knowledge of vacuum and liquid jet technologies. The continuation on a PhD project on attosecond spectroscopy of molecules and liquids is advised.

If possible, candidates are encouraged to visit our laboratory.

[1] https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2023/summary/
[2] V. Gruson, et al., Science 354, 734 (2016)
[3] A. Autuori, et al., Science Advances 8, eabl7594 (2022)
[4] C. Bourassin-Bouchet, et al., Phys. Rev. X 10, 031048 (2020)
[5] H. Laurell, et al., Nature Photonics 19, 352–357 (2025)
[6] I. Jordan, et al., Science 369, 974-979 (2020)

Location

CEA Saclay, Site de l’Orme des merisiers (91) Essonne, France

Internship conditions

• Internship duration: 5 months
• Level of study: Bac+5
• Training: Master 2
• Continuation in PhD thesis: Yes
• Application deadline: 2 mars 2026

Computer languages and software: Python

Supervisor

Hugo Marroux
Phone: +33 1 69 08 17 55
Email :

Head of the laboratory

Pascal Salières