Phase Engineering in Quantum Materials via Tailored Light Pulses

Project title: Phase Engineering in Quantum Materials via Tailored Light Pulses
Main applicant: Oscar Grånäs, Materials Theory
Grant amount: SEK 4 000 000 for the period 2026-2029

This project explores how carefully structured light pulses can be used to control the behavior of quantum materials in ways not possible under normal conditions. Specifically, it focuses on switching between different structural states of a material—so-called metastable states—by using ultrafast laser techniques. These transitions are of particular interest because they can change a material’s electronic and magnetic properties, potentially enabling new types of low-energy, high-speed technologies.

We aim to improve the control over such transitions by combining advanced computer simulations with laboratory experiments. Our approach involves using overlapping light pulses of different energies to guide materials into desired states with greater precision and lower energy costs. This is made possible through the integration of theoretical modeling, materials screening, and experimental tools such as ultrafast electron diffraction and photoemission spectroscopy.

The insights gained through this work could contribute to the development of more efficient ways to manipulate material properties, with possible applications in future electronic and spintronic devices. By bridging theory and experiment, the project also advances our understanding of how light interacts with complex materials on extremely short timescales.