Welcoming New Core Team Members to the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Light‑Matter Interactions

We are delighted to announce the expansion of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Light‑Matter Interactions (CERC‑LM) core team with the addition of three outstanding researchers: Prof. David Cooke (McGill University), Prof. Saurabh Maiti (Concordia University), and Prof. Pascale Caïdor (Université de Montréal).

Their diverse expertise will significantly strengthen our interdisciplinary mission to advance research at the frontier of light–matter interactions.

Prof. David Cooke brings world-class leadership in experimental physics, with a focus on ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy and advanced measurement techniques. His work will enhance our capacity to experimentally probe and understand dynamic processes in quantum materials at unprecedented timescales, supporting the development of innovative photonic and electronic systems.

Prof. Saurabh Maiti contributes deep expertise in theoretical condensed matter physics. His research on superconductivity, quantum many-body systems, and emergent electronic phenomena will provide critical theoretical frameworks to guide and interpret experimental discoveries within the CERC‑LM, enabling the prediction of new quantum states and functionalities.

Prof. Pascale Caïdor adds a vital dimension to our team through her work in communication, organizational studies, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Her research on the role of communication in addressing inequalities and driving organizational change will help strengthen the governance, inclusivity, and societal impact of our research initiatives, ensuring that our scientific advancements are aligned with responsible and inclusive practices.

Together, these three scholars reinforce the CERC‑LM’s commitment to excellence by integrating experimental innovation, theoretical insight, and social responsibility. We are excited to welcome them and look forward to the impactful collaborations and breakthroughs that will emerge from their contributions.

Detection Defines Dephasing in Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy of Materials: Coherent Field Emission versus Incoherent Population Observables

New Perspective on Detection and Dephasing in Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy

Coherent multidimensional spectroscopy enables the identification of spectral structure and quantum dynamics with remarkable detail. Over the past two decades, the chemical physics community has leveraged these capabilities to address key problems across chemistry, materials science, and condensed matter physics. Yet, the information content encoded in these experiments is far richer than what is routinely extracted.

We are pleased to share our new Perspective, recently submitted for publication and now available on arXiv:

“Detection Defines Dephasing in Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy of Materials: Coherent Field Emission versus Incoherent Population Observables”

This work advances a central conceptual idea emerging from our recent efforts in ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy: the measured homogeneous linewidth is not determined solely by a material’s intrinsic quantum dynamics, but also by the observable through which those dynamics are projected experimentally.

In other words, detection is not merely a means of measuring a multidimensional spectrum—it is a constitutive part of what the spectrum fundamentally represents.

Using a unified theoretical and simulation framework, we demonstrate that coherent emitted-field detection and action-detected approaches (including photoluminescence, photocurrent, and related observables) can yield distinct operational definitions of dephasing, even when probing the same underlying many-body dynamics. More broadly, these results point toward the evolution of multidimensional spectroscopy from a general probe of coherence into a platform for observable engineering in complex quantum materials.

This direction forms a central component of the scientific strategy of the CERC Interaction lumière–matière / Light–Matter Interactions and the Institut Courtois, with the goal of designing nonlinear spectroscopies that selectively access the correlations, relaxation pathways, and emergent dynamics most relevant to materials functionality and quantum condensed matter.

We are especially pleased to highlight that this is Simón Paiva’s first first-author publication of his PhD, marking an important milestone and the beginning of a promising research trajectory.

We thank Simón Paiva-Ortega, Hao Li, and Eric Bittner for their collaboration and intellectual partnership on this project.

🔗 The full article is available on arXiv

Call for applications | Institut Courtois Postdoctoral Fellowship (UdeM) – A 3-year opportunity to conduct high-impact exploratory research in materials science + AI.

The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Light–Matter Interactions at the Université de Montréal is actively recruiting candidates for this fellowship completion of the Institut Courtois, under the mentorship of Carlos Silva Acuña, Félix Thouin, Hao Li, and Mirjam Fines-Neuschild, the CERC leadership team. https://lnkd.in/eVqxURx6

We are seeking accomplished, top-tier candidates working at the forefront of ultrafast spectroscopy, with particular (but not exclusive) interest in:

Experimental THz spectroscopy
Quantum dynamics modelling

Our program operates at the leading edge of coherent nonlinear spectroscopy and quantum materials, with a strong emphasis on extracting many-body correlations through advanced measurement and modelling strategies.

We are looking for candidates with a demonstrated record of excellence who are ready to drive ambitious, high-impact research in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out to discuss potential projects and alignment with ongoing efforts.

We would appreciate your help in sharing this opportunity with outstanding candidates in your networks.

https://lnkd.in/eVqxURx6