Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Measuring and Controlling the Fastest Events in Nature With Light
Speaker
Professor Richard Averitt
Coordinator
Steve Clarey
Stop-action photography captures moments in time
that we can use to learn about motion and dynamics,
providing answers to questions such as “When a
horse runs, are there moments when all four legs are
off the ground?” However, fundamental events in
nature occur trillions of times faster than a running
horse. This talk will discuss how ultrafast lasers
are used to acquire “snapshots” of electrons and
atoms moving inside of materials. It will also discuss
exciting developments over the past decade using
light to control the properties of materials.
that we can use to learn about motion and dynamics,
providing answers to questions such as “When a
horse runs, are there moments when all four legs are
off the ground?” However, fundamental events in
nature occur trillions of times faster than a running
horse. This talk will discuss how ultrafast lasers
are used to acquire “snapshots” of electrons and
atoms moving inside of materials. It will also discuss
exciting developments over the past decade using
light to control the properties of materials.
Speaker Bio
Presenter: Richard Averitt is professor of physics
and associate dean for graduate education in the
School of Physical Sciences at UC San Diego.
He was previously at Boston University and Los
Alamos National Laboratory. His research is
directed towards characterizing and controlling
the optical and electronic properties of materials
using lasers. He received his Ph.D. from Rice
University.
and associate dean for graduate education in the
School of Physical Sciences at UC San Diego.
He was previously at Boston University and Los
Alamos National Laboratory. His research is
directed towards characterizing and controlling
the optical and electronic properties of materials
using lasers. He received his Ph.D. from Rice
University.
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