The TIMES Doctoral Network successfully held the workshop Frontiers in Ultrafast Phenomena in Quantum Materials from 21 to 24 April 2026 at the INFN Frascati National Laboratories in Italy. The event brought together researchers from across Europe and beyond to discuss the latest advances in the understanding of quantum materials driven far from equilibrium. The workshop was organised within the framework of the TIMES project, funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme.
Over four days, participants explored a broad range of topics related to ultrafast dynamics, including excitonic effects, light–matter interactions, topological phases, non-equilibrium phenomena and advanced theoretical approaches for modelling quantum materials. The scientific programme combined theoretical and experimental perspectives, fostering dialogue between communities that often approach similar problems from different angles.
The workshop featured invited lectures, contributed talks and poster presentations covering state-of-the-art developments in ultrafast spectroscopy, exciton dynamics, two-dimensional materials and photoinduced phase transitions. Discussions highlighted the growing importance of time-resolved techniques and first-principles simulations for understanding and controlling material properties on femtosecond timescales.
Beyond the scientific sessions, the event provided an excellent opportunity for networking and collaboration among senior researchers, early-stage scientists and members of the TIMES consortium. The informal exchanges throughout the week reinforced the interdisciplinary spirit of the network and opened new avenues for future collaborations.
With more than fifty registered participants, the workshop confirmed the strong interest of the scientific community in ultrafast phenomena and quantum materials. The success of the meeting further strengthens the role of TIMES as a platform for training and international scientific exchange in this rapidly evolving field.
