The thrust of research in our group is in optical science and technology. We develop new ultrafast laser and x-ray sources as part of our research in optical science, and we apply these light sources for new experiments in physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering. Therefore, our group is multi-disciplinary, with students from physics, engineering and chemistry working together. Students from our group go on to positions both in academe and in industry.

Many (but not all) of our projects involve generating and using "laser-like" beams of short wavelength light - at wavelengths 10-1000 times shorter than visible light. These wavelengths lie in the EUV (extreme ultraviolet) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and make it possible to generate attosecond-duration light pulses, "see" small features and "write" small patterns in applications such as microscopy, spectroscopy and lithography. Furthermore, these wavelengths are well matched to the primary atomic resonances of most elements, making possible many element - and chemically - specific spectroscopies.

EUV wavelengths also correspond to the scale relevant to nanotechnology (~10-100 nm). To make rapid progress in "nano", a wide variety of techniques will be needed to make it possible to see, manipulate, and make small objects. EUV light enables ultrahigh-resolution microscopy, lithographic patterning, molecular dynamic tomography, and surface analysis, all of which are complimentary to other existing nanoprobes such as atomic force microscopes and which promise to become indispensable tools in the quest to develop practical nanoscale "machines".