SMART-TOPOSPEC · Ultrafast topological spectroscopy using structured light assisted by artificial intelligence

In the era of quantum materials, material properties can be precisely tailored at the smallest (nanometer) and fastest (femtosecond to attosecond) scales ever controlled by humankind. Among them, atomically thin quantum materials stand out due to their remarkable conductivity and optical transparency, making them highly attractive for semiconductor and photonic industries. SMART-TOPOSPEC, integrating a team between University of Salamanca, SME Sphere Ultrafast Photonics and Lund University, aims to develop a novel all-optical metrology technique to spatially-resolve the electronic response of quantum materials. This is achieved through topological harmonic spectroscopy, an innovative approach that exploits structured ultrafast light pulses to extract spatially-resolved information about laser-matter interactions. The use of ultrafast structured light, which requires advanced diagnosis tools and manipulation techniques, opens up new avenues for characterization and quality checking of quantum materials. By innovating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ultrafast science, our approach will solve the inverse problem to unequivocally identify quantum material properties that can not be resolved with standard techniques. Integrating AI into advanced pulse characterization techniques will facilitate the acceleration of retrieval algorithms, paving the way for real-time, high-precision diagnostics. The project will culminate in a prototype that integrates AI-assisted topological harmonic spectroscopy with advanced laser pulse diagnostics. This method will provide a rapid, robust, cost-effective, and tabletop solution for the semiconductor industry, enabling quality control and defect detection at nanometer scales. Building on previous patents and ERC research results, SMART-TOPOSPEC translates cutting-edge science into industrial applications to impact the laser technology and semiconductor markets.