Our group studies the ensuing dynamics when ultrashort light shines on atoms, molecules and condensed matter systems.  These ultra-short flashes of light are on a time scale of attoseconds (10^(-18) seconds) to femtoseconds (10^(-15) seconds), which is fast enough to capture the motion of bound electrons inside matter.  To quote the 2018 Nobel Prize Physics website:  “Extremely small objects and incredibly fast processes now appear in a new light.”  The ultimate goal is accurate imaging and control of electron dynamics on the attosecond time-scale. 

We use variety of numerical and analytic methods, ranging from the solution of the Schrodinger equation to classical and semiclassical approaches to techniques from nonlinear dynamical systems.