The University of Tokyo · Physics and Astronomy
Professor Jiro Itatani's research lab specializes in ultrafast science and attosecond physics, focusing on the generation, characterization, and application of sub-femtosecond x-ray and extreme ultraviolet pulses. The lab investigates light-matter interactions at the attosecond timescale, particularly using laser-driven high harmonic generation and photoionization dynamics to probe electron dynamics in atoms and molecules. A key research direction involves controlling and measuring electron motion in real time through laser field control and molecular alignment techniques. The lab also develops advanced methods for measuring the temporal and spectral properties of ultrashort light pulses using electron interferometry and quantum control.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
An electron generated by x-ray photoionization can be deflected by a strong laser field. Its energy and angular distribution depends on the phase of the laser field at the time of ionization. This phase dependence can be used to measure the duration and chirp of single sub100-attosecond x-ray pulses.
We show that, by controlling the alignment of molecules, we can influence the high harmonic generation process. We observed strong intensity modulation and spectral shaping of high harmonics produced with a rotational wave packet in a low-density gas of N2 or O2. In N2, where the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) has sigma(g) symmetry, the maximum signal occurs when the molecules are aligned along the laser polarization while the minimum occurs when it is perpendicular. In O2, where the
Open papers in the app to read, cite, and organize with AI.
