ReseaRch Quality assuRance foR the futuRe a ... - Lund University

Panel 13 – PHYSICS / MATHEMATICS
2. Department of Physics
2.1 Division of Atomic Physics
2.1.1 Overall assessment
This active group of 7 professors, 4 other staff members, and a good
number of PhD students carries out world class research centered around
laser spectroscopy with programs ranging from basic atomic physics, to
biomedical optics, quantum optics, time-resolved X-ray diffraction and
high-power laser- matter interaction. The division is participating in
two Linnaeus grants. The overall quality of research as reflected through
publications in high impact journals and pioneering contributions to the
field is outstanding. In several areas such as ultrafast (picosecond) X-ray
studies of lattice vibrations in complex solids, laser applications in biomedical
photonic, and of attosecond quantum stroboscope in measurements
such as the coherent electron scattering, the contributions of the Lund
group are simply seminal. In short, this group can compete favourably
with any other worldwide.
2.1.2 Research infrastructure
This division has access to several large experimental facilities, such as the
Lund High Power Laser Center and MAX laboratory which is engaged
also in the development of the free electron laser. These are state-of-theart
facilities which offer a strong competitive edge to these scientists. The
rating for the infrastructure is outstanding.
2.1.3 Research Quality
The overall research quality of this division is outstanding. An example
is the development of one of the most flexible attosecond pulse sources
in the world that can produce pulses with central energy varying from
20 to 80 eV and duration as small as 130 as, which can be used to probe
ultrafast electronic processes. The group was among the first to carry
out phase determination of electronic wave functions by interferometric
techniques, and capture and control of the motion of electrons using a
“quantum stroboscope” technique. Use of high-order harmonics in the
development of time-resolved imaging techniques is another impressive
achievement. Furthermore, the group’s pioneering work in time-resolved
X-ray diffraction has enabled the examination of the inertial motion
occurring during the first 2 ps when the bonds are severed in a semiconductor.
The group has also participated in the first ground-breaking
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