Dr. Yoann Levy

Deputy Head of Department
Telephone
+420 314 00 77 34
E-mail
levy [at] fzu.cz
Locality
Dolní Břežany (HiLASE)
Room
2.17

We strive to explore and understand a broad range of physical phenomena induced by ultrashort laser pulses with materials of different kind. We are seeking for innovative science concepts in the research areas of laser-matter interaction physics, which would advance design of functional surfaces, synthesis of nanomaterials and nanostructures with novel properties, creation of new photonic structures, and bio-applications. The team combines experimental studies with state-of-the-art diagnostics techniques and a strong theoretical expertise in the areas of laser excitation of solids, phase transitions, dynamics of the laser-induces plumes.

We are building an advanced laser application laboratory, which will include three ultrashort pulse lasers with laser wavelengths from UV to mid-IR, high-vacuum chambers, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, ultrafast diagnostics (pump-probe techniques, streak camera, ICCD imaging, LIBS) and material characterization (optical microscopy, SEM, XRD, AFM, Raman).

The theoretical support of the experiments is based on the experience of team members in

  • one- and two-temperature modeling, including electron photoemission with charge separation and non-congruent vaporization of compound materials;
  • FDTD simulations of propagation of laser beam focused inside transparent materials;
  • gasdynamic modeling of laser ablation plume expansion in vacuum and ambient gases;
  • TD-DFT simulations of laser action on band-gap crystals;
  • analytical methods of plasma physics and plasmonics.

The department includes the following teams:

  • Laser-matter Interaction
  • Laser Material Processing
  • Nanomaterials
  • Mid-IR and Bio-applications
  • Ultrafast Photonics
  • Pulsed Laser Deposition
Bi-chromatic irradiation setup in the Laboratory of Scientific Laser Applications

Bi-chromatic irradiation setup in the Laboratory of Scientific Laser Applications

AFM images of micrometer-sized craters produced by single ultrashort laser pulses on the surface of 100-µm thick Corning Willow glass (left). This glass has high flexibility and is very strong (right). Laser processing is the fastest and cleanest method for preparation of glass parts for various applications including flexible microelectronic devices. Physical processes involved in laser processing of glasses are extremely complicated and still require understanding and optimization.

AFM images of micrometer-sized craters produced by single ultrashort laser pulses on the surface of 100-µm thick CorningÒ Willow glass (left). This glass has high flexibility and is very strong (right). Laser processing is the fastest and cleanest method for preparation of glass parts for various applications including flexible microelectronic devices. Physical processes involved in laser processing of glasses are extremely complicated and still require understanding and optimization.