Guillaume Laurent, PhD

Guillaume Laurent, PhD

  • Carr Professor of Physics
  • Graduate Program Officer
  • Physics
    • (334) 844-8712
    gml0012@auburn.edu
    Leach Science Center 3109
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    G. M. Laurent is a Full professor in the Physics Department and the Graduate Program Officer. He received his PhD in 2004 from the University of Caen (France) for his work on the electron emission induced by highly charged ion on hydrogen molecule. His research project also included the development of the first French reaction microscope. From 2004 to 2009, he was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Madrid in Spain, where he dedicated his research activities to the study of the interaction of diatomic molecules with metal surfaces both from an experimental and theoretical point of views. In 2009, he joined the Physics Department at Kansas State University as a research associate, where he started his research work in the field of attosecond science. In 2013, he moved to MIT as a Research Scientist to pursue his research in attosecond science and femtosecond laser development. Finally, in Fall 2015 he joined the Physics Department at Auburn University as an Associate Professor. In Fall 2022, he earned a position of full Professor in the Department.

    Education

    • PhD in Physics Université de Caen Basse Normandie, France 2004

    • Master in Medical Physics Université de Toulouse Paul Sabatier, France 2000

    • B.S. in Physics and Chemistry Université de Bordeaux I, France 1999

    Professional Experience

    • Full Professor - Physics Department - Auburn University - 2022 to present
    • Associate Professor - Physics Department - Auburn University - 2015 to 2022
    • Research Scientist - Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 2013 to 2015
    • Senior Research Associate - Physics Department - Kansas State University - 2009 to 2013
    • Postdoctoral Fellow - Departamento de Química - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) - 2004 to 2009
    • Graduate Research Assistant - Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Ions Lasers (France) - 2000 to 2004
    • Graduate Visiting Scientist - Instituto de Física Rosario (Argentina) - 2002
    • Graduate Research Assistant - Centre d' Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan (France) - 2000

    Innovation

    Prof. Laurent's research activities focus on attosecond science and technology through the Auburn Source of Attosecond Pulses (ASAP), a state-of-the-art laboratory with unique experimental capabilities. His research includes the development of novel attosecond light sources and innovative techniques for characterizing their temporal profiles, as well as the investigation of ultrafast dynamical processes in atoms, molecules, and solid-state systems on the attosecond timescale. The laboratory combines attosecond, femtosecond, and nanosecond light sources with advanced spectroscopic techniques, including COLTRIMS and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). These capabilities also support collaborative and interdisciplinary research in areas such as semiconductor technology and biophysics, providing opportunities to explore fundamental processes with applications across multiple scientific disciplines.

    Engagement

    Prof. Laurent have extensive outreach experience through a variety of Auburn University programs, including the Research/Student Symposium, Science Olympiad, South's BEST Regional Robotics Championship, War Eagle BEST, Destination STEM, and the Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF). Through these programs, he has engaged with students ranging from elementary and middle school to undergraduate and graduate levels, helping promote interest and participation in STEM fields. His involvement has included supporting hands-on science and engineering activities, robotics competitions, research presentations, and science fairs that serve students from across Alabama and the surrounding region. These experiences have allowed him to encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and scientific exploration in students at different stages of their education. They have also strengthened his communication, mentorship, and event-coordination skills and reinforced his commitment to making STEM education accessible and engaging for students and the broader community.

    Award

    • Howard Earl and Carolyn Taylor Carr Endowed Professorship - College of Sciences and Mathematics, Auburn University - 2025
    • Most Outstanding Professor (MOP) award - The Auburn chapter of the Society of Physics Students, Auburn University - 2025
    • Eugene Clothiaux Outstanding Faculty Award - Department of Physics, Auburn University - 2021
    • Most Outstanding Professor (MOP) award - The Auburn chapter of the Society of Physics Students, Auburn University - 2017
    • “Juan de la Cierva” Postdoctoral Fellowship award - The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation - 2006
    • Collaborative research travel award - French Ministry of Education and Research - 2002
    • Graduate Fellowship award - French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) - 2000

    Teaching and Mentoring Experience

    Professor Laurent has extensive teaching experience in physics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with more than two decades of experience in teaching and mentoring. His teaching portfolio includes core physics courses such as Engineering Physics, Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Optics, and Ultrafast Science, as well as graduate seminars, laboratory courses, directed readings, and research and dissertation courses. He has taught a diverse range of instructional formats, from traditional lectures and hands-on laboratory experiences to individualized research projects, serving students from introductory undergraduate courses through advanced graduate-level study.

    Throughout his career, Professor Laurent has taught and mentored students across a broad range of physics topics and academic levels, with class sizes ranging from small, individualized research experiences to large introductory courses enrolling more than 100 students. In addition to classroom instruction, he has provided substantial research mentorship through undergraduate research projects, honors theses, masters theses, and doctoral dissertations. His teaching experience reflects a strong commitment to developing students'; foundational knowledge, analytical and experimental skills, and capacity for independent research.