About the Joint Laboratory for Attosecond Science (JASLab)

Dr. Paul Corkum, this year's winner of the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, will lead a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Ottawa that is home to Canada's fastest X-ray laser flash, allowing scientists to take pictures of molecules during chemical reactions and study the motion of electrons.

This is the first step to unpacking the molecules that make up all the matter of our universe. The X-ray flash is so fast that it can freeze the motion of an electron orbiting an atom.

The new $2.7-million Joint Laboratory for Attosecond Science (JASLab) is the only facility of its kind in the world and a strategic collaboration between the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the University of Ottawa.

Attosecond science research at JASLab may lead to scientific breakthroughs in health care, diagnostic medicine, quantum computing, nanotechnology, environmental science and energy.

JASLab — located in the deepest section of the National Research Council building on Sussex Drive — was specifically designed to support a leading-edge laser system. The equipment is so sensitive that the laser is placed on 60-centimetre-thick honeycomb tables that float on a cushion of air.

The concrete floor slab has been separated from the rest of the building to eliminate vibrations from people walking nearby while special air-handling units maintain the temperature, humidity and pressure in the laser room.

The innovative laser system produces 80-million pulses of light per second. Each laser pulse is precisely controlled, making it is accurate to one-part in a trillion. It uses the same technology as the most accurate atomic time clocks around the world.

The laboratory will be used to study the motion of molecules during chemical reactions and to study the motion of the electrons that form chemical bonds in molecules. The attosecond X-ray pulses are synchronized with femtosecond laser pulses. One pulse initiates a chemical reaction while the other pulse takes a picture. An attosecond is a thousand times faster than a femtosecond.

About NRC and the University of Ottawa strategic partnership in attosecond science

NRC and the University of Ottawa both make important contributions to JASLab: NRC provides world-leading expertise in attosecond science and a proven track record of successfully managing large research facilities while the University of Ottawa supplies a talented group of young researchers and an academic environment that entices post-graduate students.

In 2008, NRC and the University of Ottawa began a partnership to co-manage research and development in the field of attosecond science. This partnership was cemented through the tenure and cross-appointment of attosecond scientist Dr. Paul Corkum at both institutions.

His distinguished profile and new role as leader of the JASLab is a catalyst for attracting world-class talent and expertise in attosecond science to the National Capital Region.

Meanwhile, JASLab is another example of how strategic partnerships among government, academia and industry continue to position Ottawa as the attosecond science capital of the world.

The National Capital Region has many well-established photonics research facilities, including:

• University of Ottawa's Center for Research in Photonics
• Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation
• NRC Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre
• Ontario Photonics Technology Cluster
• Ontario Centres of Excellence
• Canadian Institute for Photonics Innovation

The JASLab represents a unique addition to Ottawa's suite of photonics facilities and experts, providing more opportunities for Canadian researchers to work and study in a scientific field being pioneered in Canada.

About attosecond science

Attosecond science research provides the ultimate window into what's happening at the molecular level and helps scientists study the fastest processes in atomic and molecular physics.

Interesting facts about attosecond science:

• An attosecond is an incredibly short measure of time (1/1,000,000,000,000,000,000 seconds).
• An attosecond is a thousand times faster than a femtosecond.
• An attosecond — the number one to 18 decimal places — equals one billionth of a billionth of a second.
• One attosecond is to one second as a second is to the age of the universe.
• In one attosecond, an object moving at the speed of light would travel the distance of one atom.
• It takes 160 attoseconds for an electron to orbit a hydrogen atom.
• The new JASLab in Ottawa will house Canada's fastest laser flash. The X-ray flash is so fast that it can freeze the motion of an electron orbiting an atom.
• Imaging an electron is the first step to unpacking the molecules that make up all the matter of our universe.