Ultrafast Phenomena Laboratory (UPL)

Ultrafast Phenomena Laboratory (UPL)

Research topics

In the Laboratory of Ultrafast Processes, we use ultrashort laser light pulses to study phenomena occurring in matter after optical excitation.

We can track processes (e.g., structural changes, reorganization of chemical bonds) taking place in organic molecules or nanoparticles made from inorganic materials after photon absorption, or induce nonlinear phenomena, such as the simultaneous absorption of multiple photons or the frequency change of the laser light wave. Based on these capabilities, we aim to develop new photoactive materials (e.g., for emission) and to create methods for detecting pathological substances in tissues. We are also planning to begin research on the interaction of quantum states of light with matter.

The laboratory offers opportunities to conduct undergraduate, master's, and doctoral projects related to ongoing research. 

Photophysics of photoactive materials

We study the photophysical properties of new photoactive materials, such as structures that emit circularly polarized light, nanoparticles that convert infrared light into visible light, or dyes for two-photon-excited lasing, using stationary and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. By analyzing the interaction of these materials with light and examining the influence of their environment on their photophysics, we can understand the mechanisms underlying their behavior and contribute to the optimization of the properties of new materials.

Dynamics of processes in organic molecules

The formation and breaking of chemical bonds, as well as structural changes in chemical molecules, occur in times much shorter than one picosecond. The study of such fast phenomena is only possible by using ultrashort laser light pulses lasting femtoseconds: one pulse can initiate the process under investigation, while another pulse, delayed by a set amount of time, monitors its progress. Using this scheme, we study the dynamics of elementary chemical reactions, such as hydrogen atom transfer, which allows us, among other things, to verify quantum models used to describe them.

Lasing and nonlinear optics in biological materials

Until now, light has rarely been considered in the context of diagnostic methods that could be used for imaging tissues in forms other than biopsy samples viewed under a microscope. This is due to the strong scattering of light by tissues and the low sensitivity of light to microscopic changes occurring within tissues. This situation is now changing, thanks to the development of techniques that overcome scattering and allow light to be focused deep within tissues, as well as advancements in methods based on nonlinear (multiphoton) light absorption and stimulated emission processes. By utilizing the properties of ultrashort light pulses, we are developing methods for detecting pathogenic proteins in tissues, based on, for example, the generation of laser light within the tissue under examination or stimulated emission microscopy.

Spectroscopy with quantum light

Rapidly developing quantum technologies may lead to groundbreaking inventions, such as the quantum computer, and breakthroughs in areas such as computing, telecommunications, and metrology. In recent years, there has been intensive work on developing methods for generating and modifying quantum states of light, but surprisingly little is known about the interaction of such light states with matter. We are currently working on building a source of entangled light states that can be used in spectroscopic experiments, including time-resolved measurements, where femtosecond time resolution can be achieved without the use of femtosecond laser pulse sources.

2024

Nanophotonics 13, 2659–2668

Electrical polarization switching of perovskite polariton laser

  • K. Łempicka-Mirek
  • M. Król
  • L. De Marco
  • A. Corialono
  • I. Viola
  • M. Kędziora
  • M. Muszyński
  • P. Morawiak
  • R. Mazur
  • P. Kula
  • W. Piecek
  • P. Fita
  • D. Sanvitto
  • J. Szczytko
  • B. Piętka

2024

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 16, 57659–57671

Rapid Photoinduced Self-Healing, Controllable Drug Release, Skin Adhesion Ability, and Mechanical Stability of Hydrogels Incorporating Linker-Modified Gold Nanoparticles and Nanogels

  • S. Khodami
  • M. Gharakhloo
  • S. Dagdelen
  • P. Fita
  • J. Romanski
  • M. Karbarz
  • Z. Stojek
  • M. Mackiewicz

2023

J. Mater. Chem. C 11, 4937-4945

One- and two-photon lasing from a TCF-based AIE dye

  • K. Lupinska
  • M. Durko-Maciag
  • C. Andraud
  • Y. Bretonniere
  • P. Hańczyc
  • P. Fita
  • P. Szulim
  • J. Myśliwiec
  • L. Sznitko

2023

Infrared Physics & Technology 135

Broadly tunable femtosecond OPA pumped by 1030 nm YB: KGW laser with a range of non-linear crystals tested

2022

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 608

First events in the coil-to-globule transition of PVME in water: An ultrafast temperature jump – time-resolved elastic light scattering study

  • Pastorczak/ Marcin
  • Nejbauer/Michał
  • Shinyashiki / Naoki
  • Takatsuka/ Masanobu
  • Angulo/ Gonzalo
  • Stepanenko / Yuriy
  • C. Radzewicz

2021

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22,2661

Advanced Spectroscopy and APBS Modeling for Determination of the Role of His190 and Trp103 in Mouse Thymidylate Synthase Interaction with Selected dUMP Analogues

  • M. Prokopowicz
  • A. Jarmuła
  • Y. Casamayou-Boucau
  • A. Gordon
  • F. Ryder
  • J. Sobich
  • P. Maj
  • Z. Cieśla
  • J. Zieliński
  • P. Fita
  • W. Rode

2021

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

Air−Water Interface Assembly of Protein Nanofibrils Promoted by Hydrophobic Additives

  • Lei Wang
  • F.G.Backlund
  • Yusheng Yuan
  • Serlvan Kumaran
  • P. Hańczyc
  • L.Sznitko
  • Niclas Solin

2020

Ultrason. Sonochem. 63, 104912

Reaction kinetics of sonochemical oxidation of potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) in aqueous solutions

2020

Optics Letters. 45, 1563-1566

Raman-induced pulse destabilization and bistability in an all-normal dispersion oscillator

2020

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 22, 17117-17128

Influence of local microenvironment on the double hydrogen transfer in porphycene

  • P. Kasprzycki
  • P. Kopycki
  • A. Listkowski
  • A. Gorski
  • C. Radzewicz
  • D. J. S. Birch
  • J. Waluk
  • P. Fita

2020

ChemPlusChem 85, 2197-2206

Fluorinated Porphycenes: Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Photophysics, and Tautomerism

  • A. Listkowski
  • A. Kharchenko
  • P. Ciąćka
  • M. Kijak
  • N. Masiera
  • R. Rybakiewicz
  • R. Luboradzki
  • P. Fita
  • J. Waluk

2020

J. Mol. Struct. 1203, 127371

Spectroscopic and quantum chemical study of phthalocyanines with 1,4,7-trioxanonyl moieties

  • M. Wierzchowski
  • Ł. Sobotta
  • D. Łażewski
  • P. Kasprzycki
  • P. Fita
  • T. Goslinski

2019

Chem. Eur. J. 15, 4851–4856

Ground- and Excited-State Tautomerization Rates in Porphycenes

2019

New J. Chem. 43, 6728-6736

Tunable photophysical properties of thiophene based chromophores: A conjoined experimental and theoretical investigation

  • A. Popczyk
  • Y. Cheret
  • A. Grabarz
  • P. Hańczyc
  • P. Fita
  • A. El-Ghayoury
  • L. Sznitko
  • J. Mysliwiec
  • B. Sahraoui

2018

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 183, 111–118

In vitro photodynamic activity of lipid vesicles with zinc phthalocyanine derivative against Enterococcus faecalis

  • L. Sobotta
  • J. Dlugaszewskab
  • P. Kasprzycki
  • S. Lijewskid
  • A. Teuberte
  • J. Mielcareka
  • M. Gdaniec
  • T. Goslinskid
  • P. Fita
  • E.Tykarskad

2018

J. Mater. Chem. C 6, 4384-4388

Utilizing formation of dye aggregates with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for enhancement of two-photon absorption

2018

Scientific Reports 8, 14350

Noncollinear and nonlinear pulse propagation

2017

Phys.Chem. 19, 4921-4937

Spectroscopic and microscopic investigations of tautomerization in porphycenes: condensed phases, supersonic jets and single molecule studies

  • P. Fita
  • L. Grill
  • A. Listkowski
  • H. Piwonski
  • S. Gawinkowski
  • M. Pszona
  • J. Sepioł
  • E. Mengesha
  • T. Kumagai
  • J. Waluk

2017

Proc. SPIE 100941

Study of parameters of fiber loop mirrors as artifacial saturable absorbers)

  • W. Stępień
  • J. Szczepanek
  • T. Kardaś
  • M. Nejbauer
  • C. Radzewicz
  • Y. Stepanenko

2017

Phys.Chem.Chem.Phys. 19, 6274-6285

Influence of the excitation light intesity of the rate of fluorescence quenching reactions: pulsed experiment

  • G. Angulo
  • J. Milkiewicz
  • D. Kattnig
  • M. Nejbauer
  • Y. Stepanenko
  • J. Szczepanek
  • C. Radzewicz
  • P. Wnuk
  • G. Grampp

2017

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 16;19(32):21390-21400

Unusual cis-diprotonated forms and fluorescent aggregates of non-peripherally alkoxy-substituted metallophthalocyanines

  • P. Kasprzycki
  • L. Sobotta
  • S. Lijewski
  • M. Wierzchowski
  • T. Goslinski
  • J. Mielcarek
  • C. Radzewicz
  • P. Fita

2017

Opt Express. 24;25(15):18017-18023

Low noise, self-referenced all polarization maintaining Ytterbium fiber laser frequency comb

  • Li Y
  • N. Kuse
  • A. Rolland
  • Y. Stepanenko
  • C. Radzewicz
  • M. E. Fermann

2017

The Journal of Chemical Physics 146, 244505 (2017)

How good is the generalized Langevin equation to describe the dynamics of photo-induced electron transfer in fluid solution?

  • G. Angulo
  • J. Jedrak
  • A. Ochab-Marcinek
  • P. Pasitsuparoad
  • C. Radzewicz
  • P. Wnuk
  • A. Rosspeintner

2017

NanoLetters 17, 2652-2659

Ground State Depletion Nanoscopy Resolves Semiconductor Nanowire Barcode Segments at Room Temperature

  • J. Oracz
  • K. Adolfsson
  • V. Westphal
  • C. Radzewicz
  • M. T. Borgström
  • S. J. Sahl
  • Ch. N. Prinz
  • S. W. Hell

2017

Chem. Phys. 19, 21390

Unusual cis-diprotonated forms and fluorescent aggregates of non-peripherally alkoxy-substituted metallophthalocyan

  • P. Kasprzycki
  • L. Sobotta
  • S. Lijewski
  • M. Wierzchowski
  • T. Goslinski
  • J. Mielcarek
  • C. Radzewicz
  • P. Fita

2016

Optics Letters 41, 2394

Spectral compression of femtosecond pulses using chirped volume Bragg grating

2016

Phys.Chem Chem.Phys. 18, 18460-18469

Characterization of dimethylsulfoxide/glicerol mixtures: a binary solvent system for the study of "friction-dependent" chemical reactivity

  • G. Angulo
  • M. Brucka
  • M. Gerecke
  • G. Grampp
  • D. Jeannerat
  • J. Milkiewicz
  • Y. Mitrev
  • C. Radzewicz
  • A. Rosspeintner
  • E. Vauthey
  • P. Wnuk

2016

Opt. Lett. 41, 2394-2397

Spectral compression for semtosecond pulses using chirped volume Bragg gratings

2016

Opt. Lett. 41, 2394-2397

Spectral compression of femtosecond pulses using chirped volume Bragg gratings

2015

Scientific Reports 5, 17495-17503

Absolute measurement of the 1S0 − 3P0 clock transition in neutral 88Sr over the 330 km-long stabilized fibre optic link

  • P. Morzyński
  • M. Bober
  • D. Bartoszek-Bober
  • J. Nawrocki
  • P. Krehlik
  • Ł. Sliwczyński
  • M. Lipiński
  • P. Masłowski
  • A. Cygan
  • P. Dunst
  • M. Garus
  • D. Lisak
  • J. Zachorowski
  • W. Gawlik
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. Ciuryło
  • M. Zawada

2015

Optics Letters 40, 3500-3503

Simple all-PM-fiber laser mode-locked with nonlinear loop mirror

  • J. Szczepanek
  • T. Kardaś
  • M. Michalska
  • C. Radzewicz
  • Y. Stepanenko

2015

Chem. Eur. J.21, 1312-1327

Substituent and solvent effects on the excited state deactivation channels an anils and boranils

  • J. Dobkowski
  • P. Wnuk
  • J. Buczyńska
  • M. Pszona
  • G. Orzanowska
  • D. Frath
  • G. Ulrich
  • J. Massue
  • S. Mosquera-Vazquez
  • E. Vauthney
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. Ziessel
  • J. Waluk

2015

J.Che.Phys. B 119, 2292-2301

Tautomerism in porphycenes: Analysis of rate-affecting factors

  • P. Ciąćka
  • P. Fita
  • A. Listkowski
  • M. Kijak
  • S. Nonell
  • D. Kuzuhara
  • H. Yamada
  • C. Radzewicz
  • J. Waluk

2015

Proc. SPIE 9513, 19-20

Different mode-locking methods in high energy all-normal dispersion YB femtosecond all-fiber lasers

  • J. Szczepanek
  • M. Michalska
  • T. Kardaś
  • C. Radzewicz
  • Y. Stepanenko

2014

Optical and Quantum Electronics 46, 563-571

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in soft-glass suspended core photonic crystal fiber

  • M. Klimczak
  • B. Siwicki
  • P. Skibinski
  • D. Pysz
  • R. Stepien
  • A. Szolno
  • J. Pniewski
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. Buczynski

2014

Phot. Lett. PL 6, 8-10

Femtosecond fiber CPA system in a single pass configuration

2014

Opt. Commun. 317, 1-6

How to measure diffusional decoherence in multimode Rubidium vapor memories?

2014

Optics Express 22, 18824-18832

Coherent supercontinuum generation up to 2.3 µm in all-solid soft-glass photonic crystal fibers with flat all-normal dispersion

  • M. Klimczak
  • B. Siwicki
  • P. Skibiński
  • D. Pysz
  • R. Stępień
  • A. Heidt
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. Buczyński

2013

Z. Phys. Chem. 227, 1009–1020

Double hydrogen transfer in low symmetry porphycenes

2013

Proc.SPIE 8902, 890215

Octave spanning supercontinuum in normal dispersion photonic crystal fiber

  • B. Siwicki
  • M. Klimczak
  • P. Skibiński
  • T. Martynkien
  • D. Pysz
  • R. Stępień
  • A. Szołno
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. Buczyński

2013

Opt. Lett. 38, 22

Absolute frequency measurement of rubidium 5S-7S two-photon transitions

  • P. Morzyński
  • P. Wcisło
  • P. Ablewski
  • R. Gartman
  • W. Gawlik
  • P. Masłowski
  • B. Nagórny
  • F. Ozimek
  • C. Radzewicz
  • M. Witkowski
  • R. Ciuryło
  • M. Zawada

2013

Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 222, 2119-2142

Spectral line-shapes investigation with Pound-Drever-Hall-locked frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy

  • A. Cygan
  • S. Wójtewicz
  • J. Domysławska
  • P. Masłowski
  • K. Bielska
  • M. Piwiński
  • K. Stec
  • R. S. Trawiński
  • F. Ozimek
  • C. Radzewicz
  • H. Abe
  • T. Ido
  • J. T. Hodges
  • D. Lisak
  • R. Ciuryło

2013

Langmuir 29, 11898–11907

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Liquid Phase Interfaces: Understanding the Structure of the Glycerol/Water – Dodecane System

  • F. R. Beierlein
  • A. M. Krause
  • C. M. Jaäger
  • P. Fita
  • E. Vauthey
  • T. Clark

2013

J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chemistry 269, 9–16

Functional singlet oxygen generators based on porphyrazines with peripheral 2,5-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl and dimethylamino groups

  • L. Sobotta
  • P. Fita
  • W. Szczolko
  • M. Wrotynski
  • M. Wierzchowski
  • T. Goslinski
  • J. Mielcarek

2013

J. Phys. Chem. A 117, 4136–4147

Excited-State Dynamics of Ethyl 5-(4-Aminophenyl)-3-Amino-2,4-Dicyanobenzoate

  • M. Józefowicz
  • P. Fita
  • P. Kasprzycki
  • J. R. Heldt

2013

Inorganic Chemistry Communications 27, 56-59

Synthesis and photochemical properties of unsymmetrical phthalocyanine bearing two 1-adamantylsulfanyl groups at adjacent peripheral position

2012

Chem. ‒ Eur. J. 18, 13160–13167

Tautomerization in 2,7,12,17-Tetraphenylporphycene and 9-Amino-2,7,12,17-tetraphenylporphycene: Influence of Asymmetry on the Direction of the Transition Moment

  • P. Fita
  • M. Pszona
  • G. Orzanowska
  • D. Sánchez-García
  • S. Nonell
  • E. Vauthey
  • J. Waluk

2012

Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Technical Sciences 60, 4

Precision Spectroscopy of Cold Strontium Atoms, Towards Optical Atomic Clock

  • M. Bober
  • J. Zachorowski
  • W. Gawlik
  • P. Morzyński
  • M. Zawada
  • D. Lisak
  • A. Cygan
  • K. Bielska
  • M. Piwiński
  • R.S. Trawiński
  • R. Ciuryło
  • F. Ozimek
  • C. Radzewicz

2012

J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem. 232, 44–49

Femtosecond studies of the excited-state dynamics of ester-alkyloxy substituted zinc phthalocyanines

  • P. Fita
  • T. Osmałek
  • T. Gosliński
  • M. Wierzchowski
  • J. Mielcarek

2012

Tetrahedron Lett. 53, 2040–2044

Synthesis, characteristics and photochemical studies of novel porphyrazines possessing peripheral 2,5-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl and dimethylamino groups

  • W. Szczolko
  • L. Sobotta
  • P. Fita
  • T. Koczorowski
  • M. Mikus
  • M. Gdaniec
  • A. Orzechowska
  • K. Burda
  • S. Sobiak
  • M. Wierzchowski
  • J. Mielcarek
  • E. Tykarska
  • T. Goslinski

2012

J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem. 234, 100–106

The dynamics and origin of the unrelaxed fluorescence of free-base tetraphenylporphyrin

  • B. Białkowski
  • Y. Stepanenko
  • M. Nejbauer
  • C. Radzewicz
  • J. Waluk

2012

J. Chem. Phys. 136, 024201

Cavity ring-down spectroscopy of the oxygen B-band with absolute frequency reference to the optical frequency comb

  • J. Domysławska
  • S. Wójtewicz
  • D. Lisak
  • A. Cygan
  • F. Ozimek
  • K. Stec
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. S. Trawiński
  • R. Ciuryło

2012

J. of Chemical Physics 136, 024201

Cavity ring down spectroscopy of the oxygen B-band with absolute frequency reference to the optical frequency comb

  • J. Domysławska
  • S. Wójtewicz
  • D. Lisak
  • A. Cygan
  • F. Ozimek
  • K. Stec
  • C. Radzewicz
  • R. Trawiński
  • R. Ciurył

2011

Polyhedron, 30, 1538–1546

Photophysical properties and photocytotoxicity of novel phthalocyanines — potentially useful for their application in photodynamic therapy

  • T. Gośliński
  • T. Osmałek
  • K. Konopka
  • M. Wierzchowski
  • P. Fita
  • J. Mielcarek

2010

J. of American Chemical Society 132 13472-13485

Unusual solvent viscosity-controlled tautomerismand photophysics: meso-alkylated porphycenes

  • M. Gil
  • J. Dobkowski
  • G. Wiosna-Sańga
  • N. Urbańska
  • P. Fita
  • M. Pietraszkiewicz
  • C. Radzewicz
  • P. Borowicz
  • D. Marks
  • M. Glasbeek
  • J. Waluk

2010

Opt. Commun. 283, 713–718

Quantum and semiclassical polarization correlations

2010

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132, 13472–13485

Unusual, Solvent Viscosity-Controlled Tautomerism and Photophysics: Meso-Alkylated Porphycenes

  • M. Gil
  • J. Dobkowski
  • G. Wiosna-Sałyga
  • N. Urbańska
  • P. Fita
  • C. Radzewicz
  • M. Pietraszkiewicz
  • P. Borowicz
  • D. Marks
  • M. Glasbeek
  • J. Waluk

2009

Opt. Express 17, 4652–4658

Coherent nonlinear emission from a single KTP nanoparticle with broadband femtosecond pulses

  • P. Wnuk
  • L. L. Xuan
  • A. Slablab
  • C. Tard
  • S. Perruchas
  • T. Gacoin
  • J. Roch
  • D. Chauvat
  • C. Radzewicz

2008

Phys. Rev. A 78 033831

Statistics of multiphoton events in spontaneous parametric down-conversion

2008

Z. Phys. Chem. 222, 1165–1173

Unusually Slow Intermolecular Proton-Deuteron Exchange in Porphycene

2007

J. Chem. Phys. 126, 184708

Ultrafast optical Kerr effect spectroscopy of water confined in nanopores of the gelatin gel

  • B. Ratajska-Gadomska
  • B. Białkowski
  • W. Gadomski
  • C. Radzewicz

2007

Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 063901

Time-frequency domain analogues of phase space sub-Planck structures

2006

Chem. Phys. Lett. 429, 575

Ultrashort Memory of the Quasicrystaline Order in Water by Optical Kerr Effect Spectroscopy

  • B. Ratajska-Gadomska
  • B. Białkowski
  • W. Gadomski
  • C. Radzewicz

2006

Phys. Rev. A 73, 063819

Pulsed squeezed light: simultaneous squeezing of multiple modes

2006

Opt. Lett. 31, 1130

Joint spectrum of photon pairs measured by coincidence Fourier spectroscopy

2005

Chem. Phys. Lett. 416, 305

Keto-enol tautomerism of two structurally related Schiff bases. Direct and indirect way of creation of the excited keto-tautomer

2005

Opt. Express 13, 4154

Bimorph piezo deformable mirror for femtosecond pulse shaping

2005

Opt. Commun. 246, 569

Quality improvement for high resolution in vivo images by Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography with supercontinuum source

2004

Opt. Lett. 29, 177

Piezo-driven deformable mirror for femtosecond pulse shaping

2004

Am. J. Ophthalmol. 138, 412

Ophthalmic Imaging by Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography

  • M. Wojtkowski
  • T. Bajraszewski
  • I. Górczyńska
  • P. Targowski
  • A. Kowalczyk
  • W. Wasilewski
  • C. Radzewicz

2003

Proc. SPIE Vol. 4992, 55

Propagation of ultrashort laser pulses through transparent dielectrics in nonlinear regime

2003

Proc. SPIE Vol. 5258, 20

Nonlinear propagation of femtosecond laser pulses in dielectrics

2002

Acta Physica Polonica 101, 89

Nonlinear Effects with Ultrashort Laser Pulses

2001

Optoelectronics Rev. 9, 308

Generation and diagnostics of femtosecond light pulses

2000

Opt. Commun. 186, 329

A Poor Mans FROG