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OTTAWA, March 8, 2011  —  A groundbreaking experiment led by scientists from the University of Ottawa/NRC Joint Attosecond Science Laboratory (JASLab) in collaboration with the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) sheds light — literally — on the electronic structure of matter.

Thanks to a new, almost ideal laser source recently developed by researchers from INRS, the two teams are the first to observe electron correlations in High Harmonic Generation spectroscopy. By analyzing the extreme ultraviolet light emitted when xenon atoms interact with a very intense laser field, researchers observed the signature of electron motion inside the atoms.

Electron correlations play an essential role in many complex systems in nature, such as charge transfer in photosynthesis and superconductivity.

The study, which was published online by Nature Physics gives new insight into the complex processes that take place inside atoms and opens the door to direct observation of electron-electron interactions on their natural attosecond time scale (0.000,000,000,000,000,001 sec). The results will ultimately have considerable impact on research fields spanning biology, chemistry and medicine.

The joint NRC and University of Ottawa research team which led the study includes NRC attosecond science program group leader David Villeneuve, INRS postdoctoral fellow Bruno Schmidt, graduate student Andrew Shiner and Herzberg medalist Paul Corkum, director of JASLab.

The collaborative relationship between the University of Ottawa and NRC is a prime example of a partnership that increases Canada’s public research base to maximize our competitive advantage.

About the University of Ottawa and the National Research Council

The University of Ottawa’s commitment to research excellence and interdisciplinary approach to innovation attract the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world.

NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada in science and technology.