By Carla Faria, Professor of Physics, UCL.
Attosecond science, the laser-driven study of ultrafast processes in matter, is revolutionising our understanding of fundamental physics. This breakthrough field, which earned the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics, could transform industries ranging from computing and solar energy to medical diagnostics and quantum research.
What Is Attosecond Science?
An attosecond is an almost incomprehensibly brief unit of time—one-billionth of a billionth of a second. Scientists use intense, ultra-short laser pulses to transfer energy to a target material, triggering the release of high-speed electrons and ultraviolet/X-ray light. This enables researchers to track electron motion in real time, providing insights that were previously unattainable.
Since electrons govern essential functions in atoms, biomolecules, and nanomaterials, controlling their behavior could redefine computing, energy generation, and even drug discovery.
Pushing the Limits of Laser Technology
Over the past decade, attosecond lasers have become:
✅ Shorter in duration – The current world record is 43 attoseconds, set by ETH Zurich in 2017.
✅ More intense – Some lasers now pack the equivalent of all the sunlight hitting Earth into a red blood cell-sized space.
✅ More energetic – Free-electron lasers can now probe electrons deep within atomic cores, expanding the range of research applications.
Scientists are now exploring whether light alone can create subatomic particles from a vacuum, opening doors to new physics frontiers.
Transforming Solar Energy & Computing
Attosecond pulses allow researchers to study organic photovoltaic materials, improving their efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. This could significantly enhance solar panel technology and photosynthesis research.
Additionally, attosecond science is laying the groundwork for optoelectronic computers, which could be 100,000 times faster than today’s digital devices.
Quantum Computing & Attosecond Science
Scientists are investigating how attosecond techniques can boost quantum computing, which relies on two core principles:
- Superposition – Quantum bits (qubits) can exist in multiple states at once, allowing for parallel processing of vast amounts of data.
- Entanglement – Qubits can become interconnected, enhancing processing speeds and unlocking unprecedented computational power.
One of the biggest challenges in quantum computing is decoherence, where qubits lose their quantum properties. Attosecond-controlled light pulses may provide a revolutionary new method to stabilize qubits, pushing quantum computing closer to practical applications.
Debates & Future Directions
The attosecond science community is divided on key theoretical issues. To foster constructive debate, my research group at UCL co-founded the Quantum Battles Workshops, where early-career scientists from competing teams discuss contentious topics.
We also run Atto Fridays, a free seminar series featuring discussions with top physicists, including Nobel Prize winners.
Conclusion
As attosecond science continues to evolve, it promises to reshape computing, medicine, and energy technologies. The field remains an exciting frontier, pushing the limits of physics and quantum mechanics toward breakthroughs that could transform our world.
📢 This article was originally published on The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
