Ultrafast Laser Technologies and Applications

Foreword Authors List CHAPTER 1 Around the Genesis of Femto-Lasers References CHAPTER 2 Generation of Femtosecond Pulses 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Description of Ultrashort Light Pulses 2.3 Generation of Femtosecond Pulses 2.4 Conclusions References CHAPTER 3 Trends, Challenges and Applications of High-Average Power Ultrafast Lasers 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Summary of Important Ultrashort Pulse Parameters 3.3 High Average Power Lasers 3.4 Ongoing Challenge for High-Power Ultrafast Laser Technology: Pulse Duration 3.5 Conclusion and Outlook Towards Future Directions References CHAPTER 4 Basics of Femtosecond Pulse Manipulation: Simple Numerical Tools 4.1 Presentation of Useful Functions 4.2 Influence of the Spectral Phase 4.3 Linear Dispersion in Different Media 4.4 Self-Phase Modulation (SPM) 4.5 Influence of Mirrors on Polarization 4.6 Conclusion References CHAPTER 5 Femtosecond Pulse Shaping and Characterization: From Simulation to Experimental Pulse Retrieval Using a Python-Based User Friendly Interface 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Simulation and Retrieval of Synthetic Laser Pulses 5.3 Implementation in the Laboratory and Retrieval of Experimental Data 5.4 Conclusion References CHAPTER 6 High-Order Harmonic Generation (HHG): From Concept to Applications 6.1 Basic Characteristics of a HHG Source and Historical Context 6.2 Semi-Classical Model for HHG: From Three-Step Model to SFA by Lewenstein 6.3 Macroscopic Study of HHG: The Problem of Phase-Matching and Re-Absorption Limit 6.4 The Attosecond Structure of HHG 6.5 New Trends in HHG References Bonus: The Lewenstein Model for Dummies CHAPTER 7 Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses and the High Power Laser System at Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics 7.1 Introduction 7.2 From Fundamental Forces to the Technology for Producing the Highest Intensities 7.3 The ELI-NP HPLS Laser System 7.4 Extreme Light Infrastructure 7.5 Summary References CHAPTER 8 Coherent Multidimensional Spectroscopies: Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques to Unveil Complex Dynamics 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Electronic Transitions in 2DES Spectra 8.3 Experimental Considerations and Implementations 8.4 Application to Complex Dynamics 8.5 Concluding Remarks References CHAPTER 9 Nonlinear Optical Imaging at the Nanoscale 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Principles of Nonlinear Optical Microscopy 9.3 Polarized Nonlinear Microscopy 9.4 In Depth Nonlinear Microscopy in Complex Media 9.5 Conclusions References