Multi-scale modeling of laser-matter interaction

Our models involve several scales and allow to describe the electron dynamics at the micrometer and attosecond scale, taking into account out-of-equilibrium processes arising in laser-irradiated materials.

  • Electron flow dynamic level: the laser field may couple with the nano-structured materials and lead to  useful electron flows for atto-second science and laser-assisted atomic probe tomography.
  • Electromagnetic modes coupled with the laser wave
  • Quantum level: light coupling with electrons and with atoms of the solid.
  • Microfluidic level: laser-molten layer can move and lead to the excitation of capillary waves, inducing several varieties of nano-structures.

Available tools

We have developed several in-house simulation codes available for collaborative usage.

  • Flirt 1D/2D: simulation code aimed to calculate heating, excitation and melting of flat silicon samples femtosecond laser irradiation.
  • Flaps2D: simulation code aimed to describe the modification of optical properties and heating of nanostructures irradiated by laser light. Currently in optimization stage. A private Wiki is also available.
  • Extended SPP theory: this collection of routines developed in Python allows to open new perspectives in plasmonics for novel applications [see the announcement]. Includes (i) a generalized SPP theory at simple interfaces with accounting for the materials damping, (ii) SPP theory in multilayered materials, also strictly accounting for losses.
  • Python implementation of several flavors of Keldysh models are also available.
  • A database of experimentally obtained LIPSS is available.

Current applications

  • Improving control on the formation of sub-diffractive nanostructure formation induced by intense lasers
  • Improving the control over atomic probe tomography in band gap materials.
  • Studying the damage threshold of band gap materials as function of laser parameters.

Links

Here are links of some of our collaborators.

  1. TD-DFT quantum simulations using Octopus, developed by a worldwide collaboration.
  2. Python-MEEP examples developed by Dr. Filip Dominec.

Just for fun

Video of the “Flirt” code development since first commits on the Git repository. 🙂