Harnessing the Attosecond Science: From Attomicroscopy to Ultrafast Quantum Light
Prof. Mohammed Th. Hassan, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, US
Library, A.2.500, Staudtstr. 2
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Abstract:
We present groundbreaking advancements in ultrafast electron microscopy, quantum current tunneling in graphene, and ultrafast squeezed light, establishing transformative capabilities in attosecond science and technology (1). First, we achieved attosecond temporal resolution in a transmission electron microscope by generating a single isolated attosecond electron pulse, far surpassing the highest reported imaging resolutions (2,3). This novel tool, termed the “attomicroscope,” represents the world’s fastest electron microscope, enabling the imaging and control of electron motion dynamics in graphene. The attosecond electron imaging method offers real-time and spatial insights into the electron motion of neutral matter, unlocking long-anticipated applications in quantum physics, chemistry, and biology (3).

Next, we report the generation of light-induced quantum tunneling currents in graphene phototransistors in ambient conditions. This phenomenon allows precise measurement and control of field-driven currents, demonstrating current switching at an unprecedented 630 attoseconds (~1.6 petahertz) (4). By modulating the density of photoexcited charge carriers with variable pump laser powers, we enhanced the graphene phototransistor conductivity and realized various logic gate operations. These findings pave the way for optical switches, lightwave electronics, and optical quantum computing (5,6).
Lastly, we extend the use of squeezed light to ultrafast quantum science, demonstrating the generation of broadband quantum light pulses spanning 0.33 to 0.73 petahertz using a light field synthesizer and four-wave mixing (7). These pulses exhibit amplitude squeezing consistent with theoretical predictions, enabling real-time studies of quantum light-matter interactions. Furthermore, we demonstrate binary digital data encoding onto these synthesized attosecond-resolved quantum light waveforms, showcasing potential applications in secure quantum communication. This work sets the stage for ultrafast quantum optoelectronics, next-generation quantum computing, and encrypted communication networks capable of petahertz-scale data transmission speeds.
References
[1] Corkum, P. & Krausz, F. Nat. Phys. 3, 381-387, (2007).
[2] Hui, D., Alqattan, H., Sennary, M., Golubev, N. V. & Hassan, M. T. Science Advances 10, eadp5805, (2024).
[3] Hassan, M. T. Physics Today 77 38–43 (2024).
[4] Sennary, M. et al. Light-induced quantum tunnelling current in graphene. arXiv:2407.16810 (2024).
[5] Hassan, M. T. ACS Photonics 11, 334-338, (2024).
[6] Hui, D. et al. Science Advances 9, eadf1015, (2023).
[7] Sennary, M. et al. arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.08881, (2024).