Description
Since the first attosecond pump-probe experiments performed in molecules [1,2], the field has grown exponentially, leading to the new discipline of attochemistry [3]. As a result, it is nowadays possible to follow in real time the motion of the “fast” electronic motion in molecules, mostly in the gas phase, and understand how this motion affects the “slower” motion of atomic nuclei and vice versa. There are, however, new scenarios [4] that will allow one to extend the range of applications to more complex molecular systems [5] and to overcome some of the limitations of current attosecond technologies. In addition, the role of pulse-induced coherences in the ensuing molecular dynamics is receiving a considerable attention, since they may offer new opportunities to control chemical reactions or open new scenarios for quantum information technologies [6].
In this talk, I will describe some of the new theoretical developments aiming at supporting ongoing experimental efforts along some of the above-mentioned directions, thus illustrating the high potential of attochemistry to uncover new phenomena in chemistry and the need for such theoretical developments to guide the experimental efforts.
[1] G. Sansone et al, Nature 465 763 (2010).
[2] F. Calegari et al, Science 346, 336 (2014).
[3] M. Nisoli et al, Chem. Rev. 117, 10760 (2017).
[4] F. Calegari and F. Martín, Commun. Chem. 6, 184 (2023).
[5] F. Vismarra et al, Nature Chemistry 16, 2017(2024).
[6] L. M. Koll et al, Nature 652, 82 (2026).
