Since the properties of materials are induced by the motion of electrons, a fundamental understanding of material properties can be obtained by systematically investigating the dynamic changes in quantum spacetime at the femtosecond-nanometer scale, where these electronic movements occur. The research in ultrafast science at POSTECH focuses on directly observing and freely controlling femtosecond phenomena in condensed matter.

Femtosecond Spectroscopy Laboratory (Heejae Kim) - Ultrafast Phenomena and Control in Solids

Materials’ functional properties are determined by the interplay among various degrees of freedom (electrons, spin, crystal lattice), in general. We study these interactions in an element-resolved fashion using femtosecond time-resolved techniques (from Terahertz to X-ray spectral range). Further, we aim at discovering new material phases and functions by manipulating a specific degree of freedom with strong field ultrafast optical pulses in quantum materials.  

SUPER-RESOLUTION IMAGING & SPECTROSCOPY(Kyoung-Duck Park)

The primary goal of our lab is to develop ultrafast super-resolution microscopy and spectroscopy with spatial and temporal resolutions of <10 nm and <100 fs, respectively, surpassing the diffraction limit of light. This advancement will enable the observation of previously unobservable physical phenomena in both the time and space domains. In terms of instrumentation, our focus is on pioneering novel near-field imaging and spectroscopy techniques that redefine the current paradigm of near-field microscopy. Regarding the characterization of condensed matter, our research is centered on uncovering the newly emergent physical properties in nanoscale regions of low-dimensional quantum materials, including the ultrafast dynamics of various quasiparticles. Furthermore, we not only explore the quantum optical properties of novel quasiparticles dynamically control them in the strong coupling regime through tip-enhanced cavity-spectroscopy.

Femtosecond X-ray Diffraction-Imaging Laboratory (Changyong Song)