Dolso, Gian Luca and Sato, Shunsuke A. and Inzani, Giacomo and Di Palo, Nicola and Moio, Bruno and Borrego-Varillas, Rocio and Nisoli, Mauro and Lucchini, Matteo (2025) Attosecond virtual charge dynamics in dielectrics. NATURE PHOTONICS, 19 (9). pp. 999-1005. ISSN 1749-4885, 1749-4893
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
The interaction of intense infrared pulses with a solid target can initiate light-field-driven phenomena that enable the reversible manipulation of their electro-optical properties on an attosecond timescale. This interaction regime therefore offers a unique opportunity to induce and control new functionalities with very high speed. However, the efficient exploitation of coherent light-matter states for future applications requires a detailed understanding of the underlying physical processes. This task is complicated by the complex and intertwined nature of inter- and intraband dynamics of real and virtual carriers underlying field-driven phenomena in solids. Here we used attosecond transient reflection spectroscopy to investigate ultrafast virtual electron dynamics in a prototype dielectric (monocrystalline diamond) over a broad photon energy range not previously accessed. Independent calibration of the pump-probe delay axis allowed direct comparison with numerical calculations, revealing that virtual interband transitions affect the timing and adiabaticity of the crystal response, even in a regime believed to be dominated by intraband motion. By demonstrating that virtual interband transitions are indispensable for an accurate description of strong-field-induced phenomena in solids, our results constitute a relevant step towards understanding transient nonlinear optical processes, a cornerstone for the future development of information processing and petahertz electronics.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | FIELD; SEMICONDUCTOR; ELECTRONS; CURRENTS |
| Subjects: | 500 Science > 530 Physics |
| Divisions: | Physics > Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jun 2026 06:32 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jun 2026 06:32 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/67143 |
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