Mette Gaarde

Mette Gaarde is the Les and Dot Broussard Alumni Professor of Physics at Louisiana State University (LSU), Department of Physics & Astronomy. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Copenhagen (1997). Her research focuses on ultrafast atomic, molecular, and optical physics theory, particularly probing laser-matter interactions using attosecond and femtosecond pulses. She leads the LSU ultrafast AMO theory group, addressing dynamics in transparent solids, attosecond transient absorption, charge migration, and mid-infrared filamentation.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Copenhagen, Denmark (1997)

Research Interests:

Dr. Gaarde’s work bridges ultrafast AMO science and nonlinear optics. Key areas include high-harmonic generation (HHG) in solids, attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (ATA), and charge migration in organic molecules. Her group employs time-dependent Schrödinger equation, density functional theory, and semiconductor Bloch equations to model quantum-classical interactions. Recent studies explore HHG in monolayer MoS₂, particle-like charge migration, and resonant XUV propagation.

Selected Research Trends:

Publications highlight advancements in HHG theory, charge migration control via strong-field ionization, and filamentation of mid-infrared laser pulses. Collaborations with experimental groups at SLAC, Ohio State University, and European institutions have advanced applications in solid-state spectroscopy and molecular dynamics.

Awards:

• Les and Dot Broussard Alumni Professor of Physics (LSU)

Advising & Collaborations:

Her research involves postdocs and graduate students in interdisciplinary projects. Ongoing collaborations focus on high-harmonic spectroscopy, attosecond solitons, and nonlinear fiber optics.

Labs/Teams:

Leads the LSU ultrafast AMO theory group, affiliated with the Hearne Institute for Theoretical Physics.