Ultrafast Optics

Ultrafast optics is a field of science that deals with light pulses that last just a few femtoseconds (quadrillionths of a second). These incredibly short bursts of light allow researchers to study rapid processes in materials and molecules, such as chemical reactions or electron movements. By using nonlinear optical effects—where the behavior of light changes in intense fields—scientists can manipulate and control these light pulses. This technology enables advancements in imaging, telecommunications, and materials science, providing insights that were previously impossible to achieve with traditional methods.