For the future generation of computers, processing speed is envisioned to be increased with an architecture that relies exclusively on high-bandwidth optical components. One of the research directions explores signal transmission and processing using surface plasmons. (These are quasi-particles that are confined to a metal-dielectric boundary; they consist of the collective oscillation of electrons in the metal and the accompanying evanescent field in the dielectric.) Beyond carrying the promise of speeding up computing by orders of magnitude, this enables deeper understanding of fundamental light-matter interactions. An important goal is to map the temporal dynamics of the plasmonic field, localized around fabricated metal nanostructures. Furthermore, in case of excitations with few-optical-cycle pulses, the dependence of the dynamics on the Carrier-Envelope Phase (CEP) of the driving pulse opens the window to interesting physical phenomena (control of HHG and attosecond pulse generation from solids, etc.).

The candidate will join the ongoing research, carrying out his/her own experiments exploring plasmon dynamics and interpreting the data with the help of theory support. Most of the experimental work will take place in the lab of the Ultrafast Nanooptics Group at the HUN-REN Wigner RCP, however there is also possibility for a user campaing at the state-of-the-art facility at ELI ALPS.