LLC (Lund, Sweden)

Lund Laser Centre, Lunds Universitet

Located in Lund, in the south of Sweden, the LLC is the largest unit in the Scandinavian countries in the field of lasers and their use in spectroscopy, diagnostics and analysis. Its research programme ranges from atomic physics and attoscience to medical diagnostics and treatment, from fundamental quantum information and single-molecule spectroscopy to applied laser diagnostics in industrial processes.

Research highlights
Attosecond science

Photoionization of xenon in the 4d shell has been studied with attosecond pulses, revealing ultrafast electron-spin dynamics [Nature Communications 11, 5042 (2020)].

Chemical physics

Photo-induced fundamental processes in new perovskite solar energy materials are investigated in a vigorous research programme, where, for example, charge carrier and exciton dynamics in 2D perovskites has been studied in detail [Adv. Sci. 6, 1900548 (2019)].

Advanced imaging, Combustion diagnostics and Remote sensing

LLC researchers have developed a method (FRAME) that can record a series of images – a video – of a single event with record high temporal resolution (5 THz) and this unique ability has been demonstrated by recording a laser pulse as it propagates in space [Light Sci. Appl. 6, e17045 (2017)].

A high-resolution entomological LIDAR has been developed and used to explore activity anomaly of malaria vectors during pan-African eclipse [Sci. Adv. 6, eaay5487 (2020)].

Quantum physics and Quantum information

LLC researchers have recently demonstrated a concept for on-demand quantum memory with an experiment yielding a signal-to-noise ratio ~500 for weak coherent states, with an input of ~0.1 photons/pulse and a storage efficiency ~30%  [https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.023099].

Plasma physics, Particle acceleration and X-ray generation

Ultraintense femtosecond laser pulses are used to drive plasma-based acceleration of electrons and protons. Intense short-pulse X-rays, produced by laser-accelerated electrons, are applied for novel diagnostics of industry–relevant sprays [Optica 7, 131 (2020)]

Expertise

Laser-based diagnostics in a sooty flame. Credit: Henrik Bladh

LLC research activities and expertise span a broad range of topics, from fundamental atomic physics and quantum optics to medical and industrial applications. Special emphasis is on spectroscopy and fast dynamic processes, including, e.g., electron motion in atoms and molecules, and turbulent processes in combustion. The activities also include development of ultrafast lasers and novel metrology of extreme light.

More specifically, the areas of expertise comprise:

  • High power laser-matter interactions and applications
    • High order harmonics
    • Attosecond physics
    • Laser-based particle acceleration
    • Time-resolved X-ray absorption and diffraction
  • Quantum information
    • Quantum computing
    • Optical storage
  • Laser diagnostics and remote sensing
    • Laser spectroscopic analysis for species detection and imaging as well as thermometry
    • Advanced diagnostics for studies of combustion, plasma, catalysis, and creation of nanostructures
    • Environmental monitoring of air and water
    • Spectroscopy and imaging of malignant disease
    • Spectroscopic analysis of gas in tissues for medical diagnostics
  • Chemical physics
    • Ultrafast and single-molecule spectroscopy of molecules and materials
    • Natural and artificial photosynthesis
    • Light-induced processes in solar energy conversion materials
    • Photoprotection processes
    • Photocatalytic reaction dynamics.
Services for industry
Aerospace, automotive and marine industry

Laser diagnostics: A number of laser diagnostics techniques (e.g. laser-induced fluorescence, Raman and Rayleigh scattering, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering) can be applied for measuement of temperature and species concentrations in devices with optical access.

Environmental

Laser diagnostics: Mobile Lidar-systems for optical remote sensing, primarily for insect studies (entomolgy).

Power Generation

Laser diagnostics: A number of laser diagnostics techniques (e.g. laser-induced fluorescence, Raman and Rayleigh scattering, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering) can be applied for measuement of temperature and species concentrations in devices with optical access.

Equipment offered to external users
  • Laser alignment at the attosecond laboratory at the Lund Laser Centre. Credit: Robin Weissenbilder

    High-power laser laboratories, including a 10 Hz, <10 fs, 250 mJ CEP-stabilized OPCPA system, a 100 Hz <10 fs, 50 mJ CEP-stabilized OPCPA system, a 3 kHz, 5 mJ CEP-stabilized system, and a 200 kHz OPCPA system for attosecond spectroscopy.
  • Electron and ion spectrometers.
  • Quantum computing, quantum memories and quantum optics laboratories with CW single-mode lasers and cryostats for 4K and 77K optical spectroscopy.
  • Femtochemistry laboratories, with high repetition-rate, tunable laser systems and pump/probe stations for ultrafast kinetics and spectroscopic studies. Set up for sub ps time resolved THz spectroscopy.
  • Combustion diagnostics laboratories, with wavelength tunable pulsed laser systems providing ns, ps, and fs pulse durations. High-repetition rate and burst laser systems for high-speed diagnostics. Image-intensified cameras, framing cameras and a streak camera. Mobile systems for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) measurements and for laser-induced fluorescence (LIF).
  • Mobile Scheimpflug-LIDAR systems based on diode lasers and transmitter and receiver telescopes for atmospheric sensing, ecological applications (e.g. studies of insects and birds), marine and vegetation monitoring.
  • Biomedical laser laboratories for fluorescence diagnostics and photodynamic tumour treatment. Systems for time-resolved scattering media spectroscopy and gas-in-scattering-media studies.