PULSE Research

PULSE is focused on ultrafast structural and electronic dynamics in materials science, the generation of laser pulses lasting only attoseconds (quintillionths of a second), imaging of single molecules and non-periodic materials, and the study of ultrafast light-induced chemical reactions.

Current PULSE Areas of Research

	Ultrafast Nanomagnetism Our modern information society would be unthinkable without electronic devices—all based on microscopic materials that can be switched "on" or "off" in a billionth of a second. Future innovations will rely on understanding how these materials function on the atomic level.	» more info
	Atomic and Molecular Dynamics Experiment From chemistry to medicine, from biology to new sources of clean energy—many future scientific advances hinge on our ability to understand and control the behavior of individual atoms and molecules.	» more info » scientific staff
	Atomic and Molecular Dynamics Theory From chemistry to medicine, from biology to new sources of clean energy—many future scientific advances hinge on our ability to understand and control the behavior of individual atoms and molecules.	» more info » scientific staff
	Ultrafast Materials Science Solving many of the world’s toughest technological challenges depends on first understanding what happens when atoms and molecules are pushed to the breaking point.	» more info » scientific staff
	Ultrafast Source Science All chemistry relies on the extremely rapid motion and arrangement of electrons and atoms, and understanding their motions on ultrashort timescales will reveal clues about how chemical processes take place.	» more info » scientific staff
	Nanoscale & Biomolecular Imaging Capturing ultra-high resolution images of cells, viruses, nanoparticles, proteins and their complexes will pave the way for revolutionary advances in biology and medicine.	» more info » scientific staff
	Seed Projects In addition to established areas of research, PULSE is investigating new areas of research that could ultimately produce profound results.	» more info

Future PULSE Structure

We will restructure PULSE Research at the end of this year. More information is coming soon

PULSE Core Competencies

Four areas will form the core competencies of PULSE. PULSE builds on, and leverages existing strengths in:

It creates an opportunity of attracting outstanding scientific talent in advance of the beginning of LCLS operations. The coming of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), the world's first hard x-ray laser, and the Ultrafast Science Center will help ensure that Stanford and SSRL will be at the forefront of advances in the studies of ultrafast phenomena using x-rays and electrons. The Center will focus on ultrafast structural and electronic dynamics in materials science, the generation of attosecond laser pulses, single molecule imaging, and the origin of efficient light harvesting and solar energy conversion in molecular systems during the first three years of operation.