Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The invention of the chirped pulse amplification method in 1985 by Strickland and Mourou directly led to the rapid advancement of high-power ultrafast laser technologies. These lasers utilize their high-peak power to generate sources from the THz to hard X-rays, as well as high energy particles, which are important for a wide variety of applications including medical imaging and therapy. The ultrashort pulse duration of these sources also enables the tracking and controlling of complex dynamics in molecules and solids, including quantum materials. One particularly promising application uses the interaction of these ultrashort light pulses with magnetic materials, with the goal of speeding future data storage devices to address the challenges raised by Big Data. Even after over 30 years of significant progress, further improvements in laser technologies are critical to continue to develop innovative laser-based approaches to address important socio-economic challenges. Through our access to the Advanced Laser Light Source, my team and my collaborators have pursued research activities structured around three pillars: (i) the development of lasers and sources, (ii) exploiting these tools for probing ultrafast phenomena, and (iii) cellular and tissue imaging using nonlinear optical microscopy. The outcomes of this program include an innovative pulse compression method based on Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) in hollow core fibers (HCF), the HCF technology to compress high-energy Ytterbium lasers, the observation of high dose rates of ionizing radiation when tightly focused in ambient air, and the biomedical applications of interferometric second harmonic generation (I-SHG) microscopy. For the next five years, I propose a broad and diverse research program with the following four objectives: 1.To gain fundamental knowledge of the SRS-based pulse compression method to develop robust and compact ultrafast lasers offering a broad range of specifications. 2.To develop a unique soft X-ray beamline for ultrafast spectroscopy in solids. Using this source for studying ultrafast magnetization dynamics, by building on an existing collaboration. 3.Scaling the high dose rate of ionizing radiation from tight focusing in gas media by investigating the light-matter interaction process as a function of the laser intensity and wavelength. Exploring the applications for radiotherapy and the FLASH technique, by building on a current collaboration with medical physicists. 4.Label-free imaging of the polarity of microtubules in neurons using I-SHG microscopy. Building on a present collaboration with biologists to study neurodegenerative diseases. To accomplish this program, four Ph.D., two M.Sc. students, and five interns will be trained. By providing a stimulating and respectful environment, these HQPs will be well-prepared through high impact research activities to integrate, for example, into Canadian companies to support our knowledge-based economy.