Amy L Lytle Associate Professor of Physics
Education
B.A., Physics, The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio
Ph.D., Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
More About Professor Lytle
Research
Ultrafast and Nonlinear Optics
My research background is in developing new, broadband laser sources in the near-infrared
and soft x-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. For my graduate work, I developed
a new technique for boosting the efficiency of a nonlinear optical process called
high-order harmonic generation (HHG). In HHG, high power, ultrafast laser pulses are
upconverted in frequency from the near-IR (800 nm) to the soft x-ray region (~10-50
nm). The technique involves using counterpropagating light pulses to interfere with
the conversion process.
The power of this counterpropagating technique is in its flexibility. It can be used
in cases where other efficiency promoting techniques are impossible. Currently, I
am exploring the application of this technique to second harmonic generation, a process
similar to, but more widely used than, HHG.
Quantum Optics
Since coming to F&M, Etienne Gagnon and I have become interested in an experimental
test of Born's rule, which is a fundamental postulate of quantum mechanics. Introduced
by Max Born in 1926, Born's rule mathematically defines the strange, probabilistic
nature of quantum particles such as electrons of photons. It is extremely accurate
in predicting outcomes to experimental measurements, but has neither been definitively
derived nor experimentally verified.
We are currently investigating an experiment using light diffraction as an experimental
test of Born's rule. The experiment itself is straightforward, similar to ones done
in introductory physics labs, but we have discovered that interpretation of its results
is even more complicated than originally thought.
Conceptual Understanding in Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is a notoriously difficult subject to understand, mostly because
the physical behavior of the microscopic world is so different from the physical behavior
we encounter everyday. Physics learners can make sense of the abstract mathematical
models of Newton's Laws by analogy and connection with concrete experiences of the
physical behavior of forces and motion. In quantum, however, both the physical behavior
and mathematical models are abstract, requiring new types of analogies and connections.
We are interested in what conceptual metaphors and ontological categorization students
use for quantum mechanical concepts and entities. In particular, we're interested
in the effects of real, hands-on instructional experiments, simulated experiments,
and tutorials to change the language students use to talk or write about quantum.
Grants and Awards
OSA Senior Member: 2020
NSF CAREER Award: 2017-2023
Cottrell College Science Award, Research Corporation for Science Advancement: 2012-2014
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship: 2003-2006
2008 New Focus/ Bookham Student Award Finalist
Recent Publications
Selected recent publications (*indicates F&M student co-author):
- L. Lytle, E. Dyke*, J. Novella*, T. Branch*, and E. Gagnon, “Broadband second-harmonic
generation of counter-propagating ultrashort pulses,” Opt. Express 30, 17922-17935
(2022).
- Gagnon, A. L. Lytle, C. Jabbour, J.O.M. Zide, "Simulating nanoisland layers in THz
detectors using a Monte Carlo method," J. Appl. Phys. 125, 034501 (2019).
- L. Lytle, R. Camuccio*, R. Myer*, A. Penfield*, and E. Gagnon, "Influence of counterpropagating
light on phase matching in second harmonic generation," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 33, 1538
(2016).
- Gagnon, N. K. Owusu, and A. L. Lytle, "Time evolution of the Coulomb screening effects
on terahertz generation at the surface of InAs," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 33, 367 (2016).
- Gagnon, J. K. Krebs, and A. L. Lytle, "Selective control of excitation pathways of
up-converted fluorescent states using a broadband laser and a spectral mask," J. Opt.
Soc. Am. B 32, 633 (2015).
- Gagnon, C. D. Brown*, and A. L. Lytle, "Effects of detector size and position on a
test of Born's rule using a three-slit experiment," Phys. Rev. A 90, 013832 (2014).
- L. Lytle, E. Gagnon, L. Tulchinsky*, and J. K. Krebs, “Spectrally-shaped Broadband
Study of Up-conversion in Y2O3 : Er3+,” J. Lumin. 152, 129 (2014).
- Adipa*, A. L. Lytle, and E. Gagnon, "High efficiency, modular, optical pulse shaping
technique for tunable terahertz generation from InAs," Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 081106
(2013).
Recent Presentations
(* indicates F&M student co-author)
- A. L. Lytle, ”Engaging Physics Majors in DEI Work Through a Half-Credit Course,” American
Association of Physics Teachers Virtual Summer Meeting, August 2021.
- J. Ireland*, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle, “Quantum Optics in an Undergraduate Laboratory,”
Symposium on Undergraduate Research, OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington,
DC, September 2019.
- A. L. Lytle, E. Dyke*, and E. Gagnon, “Disrupting Phase Matching of SHG and SFG with
Counterpropagating Light,” OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington,
DC, September 2019.
- (Invited) A. L. Lytle, “Intermediate Optics Labs Using Matrix Modeling,” American
As- sociation of Physics Teachers Summer Meeting, Provo, UT, July 2019. Advanced Lab
Workshop W44
- A. L. Lytle, E. Dyke*, and E. Gagnon, “Counterpropagating Light as a Means for All-Optical
Phase Matching,” March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Boston, MA, March
2019.
- E. Dyke*, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle, “Further testing the theory behind all-optical
QPM,” Symposium on Undergraduate Research, OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science,
Washington, DC, September 2018.
- K. Lyszak*, A. L. Lytle, and E. Gagnon, “Generation and detection of Terahertz radiation
from a Photo-conductive antenna,” Optics and Photonics Winter School and Workshop,
University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ January 2018.
- T. Lehman-Borer*, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle, “Directly testing the theory behind
all-optical QPM,” Symposium on Undergraduate Research, OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS
Laser Science, Washington, DC, September 2017.
- A. L. Lytle, T. Lehman-Borer*, and E. Gagnon, “Influence of Counterpropagating Light
on Phase Matching in Second Harmonic Generation,” OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser
Science, Washington, DC, September 2017.
- (Invited) A. L. Lytle, T. Lehman-Borer*, and E. Gagnon, “Control of second harmonic
generation using counterpropagating light,” Annual Meeting of the American Physical
Society Mid- Atlantic Section, Newark, DE, October 2016.
- R. Camuccio,* R. Myer, A. Penfield, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle “All-optical quasi-phase
matching of frequency doubling using counterpropagating light,” March Meeting of the
American Physical Society, Baltimore, MD, March 2016.
Student Collaborations
Shawn Culbreth '11
Allison Penfield '13
Rachel Myer '14
Natalie Lampert (Friedman) '12
Rachel Myer '14
Lauren Mytsyk (Tulchinsky) '13
Rumit Gambhir '15
Richard Camuccio '16
Emily Wilson '17
Thomas Branch (Lehman-Borer) '18
Eric Dyke '19
Conor Larison '21
Jon Fogel '21
Julia Novella '21
Jill Ireland '21
Austen Kasaczun '22
Brandon Perezous '22
Addison Kovats-Bernat '24
Matthew Brennan '24
Joshua Slager '23
Courses Taught
PHY 111 Fundamental Physics I
PHY 112 Fundamental Physics II
PHY 321 Experimental Physics: Optics
PHY 332 Thermal and Statistical Physics
PHY 333 Electric and Magnetic Fields
PHY 344 Quantum Mechanics
PHY 421 Advanced Methods of Physics
PHY 291 Race, Gender, and Identity in Physics
CNX 150 Quarks to Quasars
CNX 164 #Science: Engaging the Public
More About Professor Lytle
Research
Ultrafast and Nonlinear Optics
My research background is in developing new, broadband laser sources in the near-infrared and soft x-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. For my graduate work, I developed a new technique for boosting the efficiency of a nonlinear optical process called high-order harmonic generation (HHG). In HHG, high power, ultrafast laser pulses are upconverted in frequency from the near-IR (800 nm) to the soft x-ray region (~10-50 nm). The technique involves using counterpropagating light pulses to interfere with the conversion process.
The power of this counterpropagating technique is in its flexibility. It can be used in cases where other efficiency promoting techniques are impossible. Currently, I am exploring the application of this technique to second harmonic generation, a process similar to, but more widely used than, HHG.
Quantum Optics
Since coming to F&M, Etienne Gagnon and I have become interested in an experimental test of Born's rule, which is a fundamental postulate of quantum mechanics. Introduced by Max Born in 1926, Born's rule mathematically defines the strange, probabilistic nature of quantum particles such as electrons of photons. It is extremely accurate in predicting outcomes to experimental measurements, but has neither been definitively derived nor experimentally verified.
We are currently investigating an experiment using light diffraction as an experimental test of Born's rule. The experiment itself is straightforward, similar to ones done in introductory physics labs, but we have discovered that interpretation of its results is even more complicated than originally thought.
Conceptual Understanding in Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is a notoriously difficult subject to understand, mostly because the physical behavior of the microscopic world is so different from the physical behavior we encounter everyday. Physics learners can make sense of the abstract mathematical models of Newton's Laws by analogy and connection with concrete experiences of the physical behavior of forces and motion. In quantum, however, both the physical behavior and mathematical models are abstract, requiring new types of analogies and connections.
We are interested in what conceptual metaphors and ontological categorization students use for quantum mechanical concepts and entities. In particular, we're interested in the effects of real, hands-on instructional experiments, simulated experiments, and tutorials to change the language students use to talk or write about quantum.
Grants and Awards
OSA Senior Member: 2020
NSF CAREER Award: 2017-2023
Cottrell College Science Award, Research Corporation for Science Advancement: 2012-2014
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship: 2003-2006
2008 New Focus/ Bookham Student Award Finalist
Recent Publications
Selected recent publications (*indicates F&M student co-author):
- L. Lytle, E. Dyke*, J. Novella*, T. Branch*, and E. Gagnon, “Broadband second-harmonic generation of counter-propagating ultrashort pulses,” Opt. Express 30, 17922-17935 (2022).
- Gagnon, A. L. Lytle, C. Jabbour, J.O.M. Zide, "Simulating nanoisland layers in THz detectors using a Monte Carlo method," J. Appl. Phys. 125, 034501 (2019).
- L. Lytle, R. Camuccio*, R. Myer*, A. Penfield*, and E. Gagnon, "Influence of counterpropagating light on phase matching in second harmonic generation," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 33, 1538 (2016).
- Gagnon, N. K. Owusu, and A. L. Lytle, "Time evolution of the Coulomb screening effects on terahertz generation at the surface of InAs," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 33, 367 (2016).
- Gagnon, J. K. Krebs, and A. L. Lytle, "Selective control of excitation pathways of up-converted fluorescent states using a broadband laser and a spectral mask," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 32, 633 (2015).
- Gagnon, C. D. Brown*, and A. L. Lytle, "Effects of detector size and position on a test of Born's rule using a three-slit experiment," Phys. Rev. A 90, 013832 (2014).
- L. Lytle, E. Gagnon, L. Tulchinsky*, and J. K. Krebs, “Spectrally-shaped Broadband Study of Up-conversion in Y2O3 : Er3+,” J. Lumin. 152, 129 (2014).
- Adipa*, A. L. Lytle, and E. Gagnon, "High efficiency, modular, optical pulse shaping technique for tunable terahertz generation from InAs," Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 081106 (2013).
Recent Presentations
- A. L. Lytle, ”Engaging Physics Majors in DEI Work Through a Half-Credit Course,” American Association of Physics Teachers Virtual Summer Meeting, August 2021.
- J. Ireland*, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle, “Quantum Optics in an Undergraduate Laboratory,” Symposium on Undergraduate Research, OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington, DC, September 2019.
- A. L. Lytle, E. Dyke*, and E. Gagnon, “Disrupting Phase Matching of SHG and SFG with Counterpropagating Light,” OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington, DC, September 2019.
- (Invited) A. L. Lytle, “Intermediate Optics Labs Using Matrix Modeling,” American As- sociation of Physics Teachers Summer Meeting, Provo, UT, July 2019. Advanced Lab Workshop W44
- A. L. Lytle, E. Dyke*, and E. Gagnon, “Counterpropagating Light as a Means for All-Optical Phase Matching,” March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Boston, MA, March 2019.
- E. Dyke*, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle, “Further testing the theory behind all-optical QPM,” Symposium on Undergraduate Research, OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington, DC, September 2018.
- K. Lyszak*, A. L. Lytle, and E. Gagnon, “Generation and detection of Terahertz radiation from a Photo-conductive antenna,” Optics and Photonics Winter School and Workshop, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ January 2018.
- T. Lehman-Borer*, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle, “Directly testing the theory behind all-optical QPM,” Symposium on Undergraduate Research, OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington, DC, September 2017.
- A. L. Lytle, T. Lehman-Borer*, and E. Gagnon, “Influence of Counterpropagating Light on Phase Matching in Second Harmonic Generation,” OSA Frontiers in Optics/ DLS Laser Science, Washington, DC, September 2017.
- (Invited) A. L. Lytle, T. Lehman-Borer*, and E. Gagnon, “Control of second harmonic generation using counterpropagating light,” Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Mid- Atlantic Section, Newark, DE, October 2016.
- R. Camuccio,* R. Myer, A. Penfield, E. Gagnon, and A. L. Lytle “All-optical quasi-phase matching of frequency doubling using counterpropagating light,” March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Baltimore, MD, March 2016.
Student Collaborations
Shawn Culbreth '11
Allison Penfield '13
Rachel Myer '14
Natalie Lampert (Friedman) '12
Rachel Myer '14
Lauren Mytsyk (Tulchinsky) '13
Rumit Gambhir '15
Richard Camuccio '16
Emily Wilson '17
Thomas Branch (Lehman-Borer) '18
Eric Dyke '19
Conor Larison '21
Jon Fogel '21
Julia Novella '21
Jill Ireland '21
Austen Kasaczun '22
Brandon Perezous '22
Addison Kovats-Bernat '24
Matthew Brennan '24
Joshua Slager '23
Courses Taught
PHY 111 Fundamental Physics I
PHY 112 Fundamental Physics II
PHY 321 Experimental Physics: Optics
PHY 332 Thermal and Statistical Physics
PHY 333 Electric and Magnetic Fields
PHY 344 Quantum Mechanics
PHY 421 Advanced Methods of Physics
PHY 291 Race, Gender, and Identity in Physics
CNX 150 Quarks to Quasars
CNX 164 #Science: Engaging the Public