Research Description
Chirality is central to many aspects of our lives, from how we use our hands or different tools to the right- and left-handed structures of biomolecules central to life. The chirality of crystals is correlated with many material properties, like exotic magnetic states that may be key to transformative technologies. Jeremy Johnson’s team will examine how laser light can be used to alter and control crystal chirality and associated properties “on demand.” For example, studying how nonmagnetic materials can be made magnetic with light will elucidate how materials can be controlled with light to act as “ultrafast” switches that may lay the foundation for future high-speed computational devices.
To demonstrate the ability to control crystal chirality, Dr. Johnson’s team will explore three complementary areas of research. First, the team will leverage the ability to create intense pulses of circularly polarized terahertz frequency light to alter the crystal structure of materials and make nearly anything temporarily chiral. Their unique measurement system enables them to isolate chiral signals in a unique way. Second, they will use X-ray free-electron laser facilities to provide a definitive demonstration that they can control the magnetic properties of materials. Third, they will develop new laser-based imaging tools to visualize the induced magnetization in a necessary step to understand how technology can be developed from these capabilities.
Research Impact
Demonstrating control of crystal chirality creates a new “knob” to change properties of materials that may be foundational for new high-speed devices. Dr. Johnson’s team will show how X-ray tools and new laser-visualization tools that they will develop can be used to study crystal chirality, but these techniques can also be used to examine a host of materials and processes.
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related links
Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative
Science
Brigham Young University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
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