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  • Review Article
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Lightwave electronics in condensed matter

Nature Reviews Materials volume 8, pages 668–687 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Key properties of quantum materials stem from dynamic interaction chains that connect stable electronic quasiparticles through short-lived coherences, which are difficult to control at their natural time and length scales. Lightwave electronics sculpts the quantum flow of electrons and coherences faster than an oscillation cycle of light by using intense optical-carrier waves as fast biasing fields, which can access multi-electron interaction chains. In this Review, we summarize the key functionalities and the latest advances in lightwave electronics for both fundamental and technological explorations. For example, lightwave-driven ballistic electron transport through dynamically changing band structures has already led to the demonstration of phenomena such as high-harmonic emission and dynamic Bloch oscillations. Lightwave electronic control could also seamlessly convert quantum states between light and matter to create quantum chips that simultaneously exploit electronics for efficient interactions and optics for speed or long coherence lifetimes. Additionally, we present an outlook towards applications of lightwave electronics including quasiparticle colliders to explore quantum phenomena; all-optical band-structure reconstruction in ambient conditions; attoclocks to measure the interaction dynamics of diverse quantum phenomena; ultrafast electron videography to watch electronic reactions unfold; efficient light sources to create compact integration; and petahertz electronics to speed up traditional semiconductor electronics.

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Fig. 1: Scope of lightwave electronics.
Fig. 2: Harmonic generation in solids.
Fig. 3: Lightwave characterization of quantum materials.
Fig. 4: Timing and duration of high-harmonic emission.
Fig. 5: Advances in attosecond clocking.
Fig. 6: Lightwave videography in real and momentum space.
Fig. 7: Petahertz electronics.

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Acknowledgements

M.B. and M.K. received support from ARO through Award W911NF1810299, W.M. Keck Foundation and College of Engineering Blue Sky Research Program. M.M. and R.H. have been supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) through Project ID 422 314695032-SFB 1277 (Subproject A05) as well as Research Grants HU1598/7 and HU1598/8. The authors acknowledge F. Langer and M. Knorr for discussions on early versions of this Review and J. Freudenstein for his help in generating some of the 3D graphics shown in the figures.

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  1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Markus Borsch & Mackillo Kira

  2. University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Manuel Meierhofer & Rupert Huber

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Borsch, M., Meierhofer, M., Huber, R. et al. Lightwave electronics in condensed matter. Nat Rev Mater 8, 668–687 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-023-00592-8

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