Physics, Persistence, and the Nobel Prize: A Conversation with Dr. Anne L’Huillier

There aren’t many people in the world who can say they’ve changed the way we understand time itself, but today’s guest is one of them.

In this episode, I'm honored to welcome Dr. Anne L’Huillier, professor of atomic physics at Lund University and recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics. She’s one of only five women in history to receive the Nobel in this category, and her groundbreaking work in attosecond physics is reshaping what’s possible in the study of electron dynamics.

But what makes Dr. L'Huillier truly remarkable isn’t just her scientific brilliance. It’s the way she leads with humility, dedication to teaching, and a deep passion for inspiring the next generation of scientists. When the Nobel committee called to deliver the news, she was in the middle of teaching a class, and she finished the lesson before calling them back.

In this conversation, we talk about the persistence it took to get where she is, what it means to be a woman in science today, and how her research is unlocking new frontiers in physics. Dr. L'Huillier is a trailblazer, a teacher, and a force of curiosity, and we’re so lucky to have her on the show.

In This Episode:

[01:02] An attosecond is a billionth of a billionth of a second. There are more attoseconds in a second than there are seconds in the age of the entire universe which is 13.8 billion years old.

[01:51] Dr. L'Huillier always wanted to be a scientist and follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. She had great teachers in atomic physics and quantum mechanics who kind of pushed her towards atomic physics and interactions between light and matter.

[03:09] She won the Nobel Prize for attosecond physics. She finished the class she was teaching before talking to the Royal Academy of Sciences when she was notified that she won.

[05:36] Teaching is a huge part of her work. She is now getting involved in more Nobel related activities.

[06:47] We talk about attracting more women to physics by getting rid of the idea and stigma that girls aren't interested in physics, engineering, or math.

[07:53] Students and young girls need to be encouraged to look at careers in science.

[08:22] She is working on using attosecond pulses and trying to use them to look at electron motion and electronic transition.

[09:20] They are researching quantum optics and using electrons as quantum objects and looking at complex systems like molecules, biomolecules, or condensed matter.

[10:22] We learn how Dr. L'Huillier had two other co-laureates who measured attosecond pulses.

[12:42] This work took 14 years. It's really important to be persistent, because research has ups and downs.

[13:59] We learn about what the future holds for Dr. L'Huillier. There may be a book on the horizon. 

[15:31] We talk about decompressing, having fun, the joys of family, and playing tennis!

Resources: 

Dr. Anne L'Huillier - Lund University 

Dr. Anne L'Huillier - Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

Anne L'Huillier, Nobel Prize in Physics 2023: Official Interview