Visit to Atto second Lab KIng Saud University

KSU Rector Badran Al-Omar inaugurated a special laboratory dedicated to Attoseconds  in the presence of Nobel and King Faisal prize laureates at King Abdullah Institute of Nanotechnology in College of Science. The dignitaries included:

- Professor Theodor Hänsch who holds the Nobel Prize in Physics

- Professor Paul B. Corkum winner of the King Faisal Prize in Science

- Gerard Moreau Director of Exa and Zetta Science and Technology International

Attoscience deals with study of dynamical systems on a mind-bogglingly small timescale and can be illustrated with this example: The ratio of one second to the age of the universe is approximately the same as the ratio of 1 attosecond to 1 second.

Rector Al-Omar cut the ceremonial ribbon and listened to a detailed explanation of the lab and its contents.

Professor Abdullah M. Al-Zeer, Attoseconds Lab supervisor explained the that the lab is the result of scientific cooperation between King Saud University and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Germany. He said the new lab aims to create a research environment in advanced laser applications in technical and medical fields.

Professor Al-Azeer informed attoscience technology is capable of taking pictures of fast electron movement outside the heart of the atom (nucleus), and it is possible to alter the course of these electrons by impacting them with specially-engineered light pulses.

Rector Al-Omar then gave a speech. He said: “I welcome you all to King Saud University, which is happy and proud of its achievements and its scientists and their partners who have made the university stand on a foundation of accomplishments”. He added: “On this day, the university logs another achievement which fulfills the vision of the government of this blessed country: opening a sixth section of the attoscience lab which is unique in the Gulf region and the Middle East”.

The Rector added: “I would like to thank Professor Theodor Hänsch, and Professor Ferenc Krausz, who are pioneers of the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics and the accompanying delegation from the University of Munich, Germany. I also tank Dr. Paul B. Corkum from Canada and Professor Gerard Moreau from France. Their visit is an honor to KSU, and lays the foundation for a historic achievement that will be the subject of pride of future generations”.