Mohammed Th. Hassan, University of Arizona
When
Where
Abstract: Advancements in quantum optics and squeezed light generation have revolutionized various fields of quantum science over the past three decades, with notable applications such as gravitational wave detection. Here, we extend the use of squeezed light to the realm of ultrafast quantum science. We demonstrate the generation of the shortest ultrafast synthesized quantum light pulses spanning 0.33 to 0.73 PHz by a degenerate four-wave mixing nonlinear process. Experimental metrology results confirm that these pulses exhibit amplitude squeezing, which is consistent with theoretical predictions. Moreover, we observe the temporal dynamics of amplitude uncertainty of the squeezed light, demonstrating that quantum uncertainty of light is controllable and tunable in real time. Additionally, we demonstrate control over the quantum state of light by switching between amplitude and phase squeezing. Our ability to generate and manipulate ultrafast, squeezed, synthesized light waveforms with attosecond resolution unlocks exciting possibilities for quantum technologies, including petahertz-scale secure quantum communication, quantum computing, and ultrafast spectroscopy. As an example, we introduce an attosecond quantum encryption protocol leveraging squeezed synthesized light for secure digital communication at unprecedented speeds. This work paves the way for exploring quantum uncertainty dynamics and establishes the foundation for the emerging ultrafast and attosecond quantum science fields.
Bio: Dr. Mohammed Hassan is an Associate Professor of Physics and Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. He earned his Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Munich in 2013, working with Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferenc Krausz. He later joined Caltech as a postdoctoral scholar under Nobel Laureate Prof. Ahmed H. Zewail until 2017.
Dr. Hassan pioneered attosecond electron microscopy, introducing the Attomicroscope, the world’s fastest electron microscope capable of imaging electron motion in real time. His group developed the first petahertz quantum phototransistor, achieving switching speeds of 630 attoseconds using a graphene-silicon-graphene structure—paving the way for ultrafast light-driven electronics.
He recently demonstrated all-optical and quantum current switching on attosecond timescales and advanced techniques for encoding data onto ultrafast laser pulses. His work in amplitude-squeezed quantum light has enabled breakthroughs in secure, high-speed quantum communication.
Earlier, Dr. Hassan created the light field synthesizer, producing the first optical attosecond pulse—recognized by Guinness World Records. His work earned the 2025 Microscopy Today Innovation Award and honors including the International Max Planck Fellowship (2009), the Air Force YIP Award (2019), and major grants from the Moore and Keck Foundations. In 2022, he received the inaugural AFOSR Director’s Research Initiative Award.
3:00 PM in PAS 201 / Zoom https://arizona.zoom.us/j/86395646910
Refreshments in PAS 236, 2:30PM