Research Topics
In our team we study the dynamical properties of the electrons and their spins in metals and molecular systems. We are particularly interested in the dynamics of correlated spin phases (ferromagnetism or ferrimagnetism), the dynamics of the collective electronic excitations (plasmons) in metals and the vibrational dynamics associated to the molecular motion. We currently develop four main research activities (for more, click on the above button links) : * Ultrafast Magnetization Dynamics (Femtomagnetism) * Spin Photonics * Surface Plasmon Dynamics in Metallic Nanostructures * Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics (wave packet dynamics in conjugated molecules and molecular magnets).
Instrumentation and techniques
The experimental methods that we are using allow us performing time resolved optical and magneto-optical experiments with a femtosecond temporal resolution in the range of a few tens of femtoseconds up to 1 nanosecond.
Femtosecond laser sources:
Oscillators 80 MHz, 800 nm, 500 mW (20 fs & 100 fs); amplified sources at 5 kHz: (120 fs, 200 μJ/pulse) and (40 fs, 500 μJ/pulse). Second harmonic generation (pump at 400 nm) and spectral continuum generation (probe in the visible 500-800 nm); near infra-red Optical Parametric Amplifier (5 kHz, 100 fs, 1.5 – 3 μm); mid-infrared difference frequency mixing (5 kHz, 300 fs, 5-10 μm).
Measurement techniques:
Time resolved Kerr and Faraday magneto-optics; Femtosecond confocal Kerr microscopy (300 nm & 150 fs spatial and temporal resolutions); Pump-probe femtosecond spectroscopy (differential reflectivity and transmission); time resolved photon echo and four wave mixing; Low temperature spectroscopy and magneto-optics (50 – 300 K).
Team Members :


Recent publications :

Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics

Spin Photonics Microscopy

Surface Plasmon Dynamics in Metallic Nanostructures
