Assistant Prof. Ofer Neufeld
Our lab theoretically studies interactions of matter (atoms, molecules, and solids) with intense laser beams. We strive to understand fundamental physical phenomena such as generation of photocurrents, quantum coherent motion of electrons, light emission through high harmonic generation, and magnetization control with laser light, focusing on investigating the dynamics on very short timescales natural to the electronic system (down to attosecond, 10^-18 seconds). We study such problems employing ab-initio simulations on supercomputing platforms, as well as constructing simple model Hamiltonians. In this project students will develop their own simple code for simulating high harmonic generation in an atom, and study this fundamental phenomena (the discovery of which was awarded the Physics Nobel Prize in 2023), reproducing known results. This forms a strong basis for more advanced research in the field.
Preliminary Requirements:
interested in theory and numerical simulations, especially with orientation towards chemical physics/physical chemistry. : undergraduate level course of Quantum mechanics, undergraduate level course of Physics 2 or electromagnetism, undergraduate level course in any computer programming language.
