Due to the development of microscale fabrication methods, microlenses are being used more and more in many unique applications, such as artificial implementations of compound eyes, optical communications, and labs-on-chips. Liquid microlenses, in particular, represent an important and growing research area yet there are no books devoted to this topic that summarize the research to date. Rectifying this deficiency, Microlenses: Properties, Fabrication and Liquid Lenses examines the recent progress in the emerging field of liquid-based microlenses. After describing how certain problems in optics can be solved by liquid microlenses, the book introduces the physics and fabrication methods involved in microlenses. It also details the facility and equipment requirements for general fabrication methods. The authors then present examples of various microlenses with non-tunable and tunable focal lengths based on different mechanisms, including: Non-tunable microlenses: Ge/SiO2 core/shell nanolenses, glass lenses made by isotropic etching, self-assembled lenses and lens arrays, lenses fabricated by direct photo-induced polymerization, lenses formed by thermally reflowing photoresist, lenses formed from inkjet printing, arrays fabricated through molding processes, and injection-molded plastic lenses Electrically tuned microlenses: liquid crystal-based lenses and liquid lenses driven by electrostatic forces, dielectrophoretic forces, electrowetting, and electrochemical reactions Mechanically tunable microlenses: thin-membrane lenses with varying apertures, pressures, and surface shapes; swellable hydrogel lenses; liquid-liquid interface lenses actuated by environmentally stimuli-responsive hydrogels; and oscillating lens arrays driven by sound waves Horizontal microlenses: two-dimensional polymer lenses, tunable and movable liquid droplets as lenses, hydrodynamically tuned cylindrical lenses, liquid core and liquid cladding lenses, air-liquid interface lenses, and tunable liquid gradient refractive index lenses The book concludes by summarizing the importance of microlenses, shedding light on future microlens work, and exploring related challenges, such as the packaging of systems, effects of gravity, evaporation of liquids, aberrations, and integration with other optical components.

Completely revised and reorganized while retaining the approachable style of the first edition, Infrared Detectors, Second Edition addresses the latest developments in the science and technology of infrared (IR) detection. Antoni Rogalski, an internationally recognized pioneer in the field, covers the comprehensive range of subjects necessary to understand modern IR detector theory and technology. He presents each topic with a brief summary of historical background followed by summary of principles underlying performance, an overview of properties, and analysis of the state of the art. Divided into four sections, the book covers fundaments of IR detection, IR thermal detectors, IR photon detectors, and focal plane arrays. It begins with a tutorial introduction to essential of different types of IR detectors and systems. The author explores the theory and technology of different thermal detectors and then moves on to the theory and technology of photon detectors. He concludes his treatment with a discussion of IR focal plane arrays where relations between performance of detector array and infrared system quality are considered. New to the Second Edition: Fundamentals of IR detection, radiometry, and flux-transfer issues needed for IR detector and system analysis Major achievements and trends in the development of IR detectors Novel uncooled detectors such as cantilever, antenna, and optically coupled detectors Type II superlattice detectors Quantum dot IR detectors Terahertz (THz) arrays and new generation of IR detectors, so-called third generation detectors The author accomplishes the difficult task of making the information accessible to a wide readership. A comprehensive analysis of the latest developments in IR detector technology and basic insight into the fundamental processes important to evolving detection techniques, the book provides the most complete and up-to-date resource of its kind, including a summary of useful data, guide to the literature, and overview of applications.

Spin angular momentum of photons and the associated polarization of light has been known for many years. However, it is only over the last decade or so that physically realizable laboratory light beams have been used to study the orbital angular momentum of light. In many respects, orbital and spin angular momentum behave in a similar manner, but they differ significantly in others. In particular, orbital angular momentum offers exciting new possibilities with respect to the optical manipulation of matter and to the study of the entanglement of photons. Bringing together 44 landmark papers, Optical Angular Momentum offers the first comprehensive overview of the subject as it has developed. It chronicles the first decade of this important subject and gives a definitive statement of the current status of all aspects of optical angular momentum. In each chapter the editors include a concise introduction, putting the selected papers into context and outlining the key articles associated with this aspect of the subject.

This much-needed text brings the treatment of optical pattern recognition up-to-date in one comprehensive resource. Optical pattern recognition, one of the first implementations of Fourier Optics, is now widely used, and this text provides an accessible introduction for readers who wish to get to grips with how holography is applied in a practical context. A wide range of devices are addressed from a user perspective and are accompanied with detailed tables enabling performance comparison, in addition to chapters exploring computer-generated holograms, optical correlator systems, and pattern matching algorithms. This book will appeal to both lecturers and research scientists in the field of electro-optic devices and systems. Features: Covers a range of new developments, including computer-generated holography and 3D image recognition Accessible without a range of prior knowledge, providing a clear exposition of technically difficult concepts Contains extensive examples throughout to reinforce learning

The book introduces optical wave propagation in the irregular turbulent atmosphere and the relations to laser beam and LIDAR applications for both optical communication and imaging. It examines atmosphere fundamentals, structure, and content. It explains specific situations occurring in the irregular atmosphere and for specific natural phenomena that affect optical ray and laser beam propagation. It emphasizes how to use LIDAR to investigate atmospheric phenomena and predict primary parameters of the irregular turbulent atmosphere and suggests what kinds of optical devices to operate in different atmospheric situations to minimize the deleterious effects of natural atmospheric phenomena.

The theory and practice of the non-linear optics of silicon are inextricably linked with a variety of areas of solid state physics, particularly semiconductor physics. However, the current literature linking these fields is scattered across various sources and is lacking in depth. Second Order Non-linear Optics of Silicon and Silicon Nanostructures describes the physical properties of silicon as they apply to non-linear optics while also covering details of the physics of semiconductors. The book contains six chapters that focus on: The physical properties and linear optics of silicon Basic theoretical concepts of reflected second harmonics (RSH) The authors' theory of the generation of RSH at the non-linear medium-linear medium interface An analytical review of work on the non-linear optics of silicon The results of non-linear optical studies of silicon nanostructures A theory of photoinduced electronic processes in semiconductors and their influence on RSH generation The book also includes methodological problems and a significant amount of reference data. It not only reflects the current state of research but also provides a single, thorough source of introductory information for those who are becoming familiar with non-linear optics. Second Order Non-linear Optics of Silicon and Silicon Nanostructures is a valuable contribution to the fields of non-linear optics, semiconductor physics, and microelectronics, as well as a useful resource for a wide range of readers, from undergraduates to researchers.

A number of applications including scientific spectroscopy, security screening, and medical imaging have benefitted from the development and utilization of new and emerging terahertz (THz) generation and detection techniques. Exploring recent discoveries and the advancements of biological behaviors through THz spectroscopy and imaging and the development of THz medical techniques, Terahertz Biomedical Science and Technology contains contributions from scientists and researchers in the terahertz biomedical field and is exclusively dedicated to new and emerging terahertz biomedical research and applications. This text offers an assessment of terahertz technology, and provides a compilation of fundamental biological studies conducted using terahertz waves. It introduces THz electromagnetic waves as a new tool for convergent studies, includes laser-based generation techniques and solid-state devices, contains a number of detectors, and discusses high-field generation methods. The material covers recent advancements in terahertz imaging for medical applications-most specifically in cancer diagnosis-reviewing the current status of the THz imaging technique for diagnosing cancers, and exploring the potential medical applications of THz radiation. It also considers the development of future medical applications using terahertz technology. Summarizes the recent progress made in THz waveguides, which are absolutely essential in the development of THz endoscopes Describes the dynamic imaging of drug absorption in skin, exploiting the sensitivity of THz waves to pharmaceutical materials Explores the principle and applications of THz molecular imaging techniques using nanoparticle probes Scientists and engineers involved in biological research and medical applications using optical techniques, as well as graduate students and instructors in optics, physics, electrical engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine can benefit from this text which highlights new and emerging biomedical studies utilizing novel THz wave techniques.

Ultra-high resolution holograms are now finding commercial and industrial applications in such areas as holographic maps, 3D medical imaging, and consumer devices. Ultra-Realistic Imaging: Advanced Techniques in Analogue and Digital Colour Holography brings together a comprehensive discussion of key methods that enable holography to be used as a technique of ultra-realistic imaging. After a historical review of progress in holography, the book: Discusses CW recording lasers, pulsed holography lasers, and reviews optical designs for many of the principal laser types with emphasis on attaining the parameters necessary for digital and analogue holography Gives a full review of current photosensitive materials for colour holography Covers modern methods of analogue holography and digital holographic printing Introduces mathematical and geometrical notation for horizontal parallax-only holograms and practical computational algorithms for the full-parallax case Reviews systems and the image processing algorithms required to convert the raw image data to the format required by digital printers Develops the physical theory of the holographic grating and the hologram Provides an up-to-date review of illumination sources, including LED and laser diode sources Written by leaders in dynamic holography, this handbook provides complete coverage of real-time colour holographic processes, including applications. The book covers not only the optics and theory behind such holographic systems, but also laser technologies, recording devices, data acquisition and processing techniques, materials for reproduction, and current and developing applications.

Foreword by Nobel laureate Professor Theodor W. Hansch of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen Based on the authors' experimental work over the last 25 years, Laser-Based Measurements for Time and Frequency Domain Applications: A Handbook presents basic concepts, state-of-the-art applications, and future trends in optical, atomic, and molecular physics. It provides all the background information on the main kinds of laser sources and techniques, offers a detailed account of the most recent results obtained for time- and frequency-domain applications of lasers, and develops the theoretical framework necessary for understanding the experimental applications. After a historical introduction, the book describes the basic concepts and mathematical tools required for studying the physics of oscillators. It then discusses microwave and optical resonators, crucial aspects of operation and fundamental properties of lasers, and precision spectroscopy and absolute frequency metrology. It also focuses on microwave and optical frequency standards and explores current and potential research directions. Accessible to scientists, postdoc researchers, and advanced undergraduate students, this self-contained book gives a wide-ranging, balanced overview of the areas-including frequency standards and clocks, ultra-high-precision spectroscopy, quantum information, and environmental metrology-revolutionized by the recent advent of optical frequency comb synthesizers (OFCSs) based on femtosecond mode-locked lasers. The book is also a useful guide to cutting-edge research for manufacturers of advanced laser systems and optical devices.

Due to their speed, data density, and versatility, optical metrology tools play important roles in today's high-speed industrial manufacturing applications. Handbook of Optical Dimensional Metrology provides useful background information and practical examples to help readers understand and effectively use state-of-the-art optical metrology methods. The book first builds a foundation for evaluating optical measurement methods. It explores the many terms of optical metrology and compares it to other forms of metrology, such as mechanical gaging, highlighting the limitations and errors associated with each mode of measurement at a general level. This comparison is particularly helpful to current industry users who operate the most widely applied mechanical tools. The book then focuses on each application area of measurement, working down from large area to medium-sized to submicron measurements. It describes the measurement of large objects on the scale of buildings, the measurement of durable manufactured goods such as aircraft engines and appliances, and the measurement of fine features on the micron and nanometer scales. In each area, the book covers fast, coarse measures as well as the finest measurements possible. Best practices and practical examples for each technology aid readers in effectively using the methods. Requiring no prior expertise in optical dimensional metrology, this handbook helps engineers and quality specialists understand the capabilities and limitations of optical metrology methods. It also shows them how to successfully apply optical metrology to a vast array of current engineering and scientific problems.

Biomimetic photonics is a burgeoning field. Biologists are finding and describing a whole menagerie of unique and astonishingly complex nano- and microstructures in fauna and flora. Material scientists are developing novel multifunctional and hierarchical structures with a wide variety of post-nano era photonics applications. Mathematicians and computer scientists are using computer models and simulations to understand the underlying principles of biomimetic structures. However, concepts, structures, and phenomena that are well known in one community are quite unknown in others. Exploring a biomimetic approach to developing photonic devices and structures, Biomimetics in Photonics discusses not only the role of and results of biomimicry in engineering, but also the true understanding of natural processes and the application of these techniques to established technologies. Featured Topics Photonic structures in flowers, leaves and fruits and inorganic structures produced in aquatic environment by diatoms, sponges, and shells Mechanisms for biomineralization and how natural structures can be synthetically modified or even used as templates for artificial photonic materials Biological photonic structures in beetles and butterflies and their bio-inspired applications, including anti-reflecting surfaces, iridescent viruses, light reflection, metallic effects, and infrared sensors Suitable for researchers and graduate students, the book does more than describe how to extract good design from nature-Biomimetics in Photonics highlights natural design techniques in context, allowing for a more complete modeling picture. It demonstrates the possibilities and challenges in the move from a laboratory environment to industrial scale production of biomimetic photonic structures.

"...provides the full, exciting story of optical modulators. ... a comprehensive review, from the fundamental science to the material and processing technology to the optimized device design to the multitude of applications for which broadband optical modulators bring great value. ... Especially valuable in my view is that the authors are internationally known researchers, developers, and systems people who are experts in their field, writing now, with the perspective that time offers, about their groundbreaking work. " -Dr. Rodney C. Alferness, Senior Vice President of Optical Networking Research at Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs Considered the most comprehensive book yet published on this critical subject, Broadband Optical Modulators: Science, Technology, and Applications offers an incredibly wide-ranging yet in-depth overview of the state of the art in the design and use of optical modulators. A compilation of expert insights, this book covers fundamental and practical aspects, from materials to systems, addressing historical and more recent developments. Coverage includes: Optical and electro-optic properties of traditional single crystalline lithium niobate, silicon, and III-V compound semiconductors, as well as emerging electro-optic polymers and organic nonlinear optic crystals Discussion of factors important to modulator design, fabrication, and performance Fundamental topics, such as electro-optic effect in nonlinear optic crystals and semiconductors Leaders in the field created this invaluable reference for scientific researchers involved in high-speed device research and development, especially in the areas of optical transmitters and optical modulators for fiber-optics communication systems. Helping readers master optical modulation techniques, this book will be invaluable to engineers (system/subsystem designers, product developers, and technical and project managers) and other professionals in the telecommunications and defense industries. It offers the audience-which includes graduate students-an in-depth understanding of the new modulator architectures and technologies now available, as well as the strengths, weaknesses, advantages, and trade-offs associated with each.

While several available texts discuss molded plastic optics, none provide information on all classes of molded optics. Filling this gap, Molded Optics: Design and Manufacture presents detailed descriptions of molded plastic, glass, and infrared optics. Since an understanding of the manufacturing process is necessary to develop cost-effective, producible designs, the book extensively covers various manufacturing methods, design guidelines, trade-offs, best practices, and testing of critical parameters. It also discusses topics that often arise when designing systems with molded optics, such as mitigating stray light and mating systems by eye. The first three chapters of the book focus on subjects important to the design of systems using molded optics: optical design, visual optics, and stray light. Following these background chapters, the text provides in-depth information on the design and manufacture of molded plastic optics, molded glass optics, and molded infrared optics. The final chapter on testing emphasizes the special characteristics of molded optics. Experts in their particular areas, the authors draw on their considerable knowledge and real-world experiences to give a thorough account of the design and manufacture of molded plastic, glass, and infrared optics. The book will help readers improve their ability to develop systems that employ molded optics.

Ever since the first experimental demonstration was reported in 2000, the interest in metamaterials and left-handed media that exhibit a negative refractive index has increased exponentially. Surveying this explosive growth, Physics and Applications of Negative Refractive Index Materials covers the fundamental physical principles and emerging engineering applications of structured electromagnetic metamaterials that yield a negative refraction as well as other unexpected physical properties. It provides detailed explanations on the history, development, and main achievements of metamaterials. Making it easy to access relevant, up-to-date information on the field, the authors bring together the most important and influential papers related to metamaterials. They present the principles of negative refraction and compare the uniqueness of novel metamaterials with other media that exhibit similar properties. The book discusses the design, optimization, and testing of structured metamaterials as well as applications of metamaterials at frequencies ranging from radio wave to optical. It also explores novel concepts and phenomena, such as the perfect lens for super-resolution imaging, hyper lenses that couple the near-field to radiative modes, electromagnetic cloaking and invisibility, and near-field optical imaging. Connecting theoretical ideas to recent experimental techniques and results, this state-of-the-art book enables an understanding of the basic principles of and research contributions to metamaterials with negative refractive index and their electromagnetic properties.

The propagation of light in dispersive media is a subject of fundamental as well as practical importance. In recent years attention has focused in particular on how refractive index can vary with frequency in such a way that the group velocities of optical pulses can be much greater or much smaller than the speed of light in vacuum, or in which the refractive index can be negative. Treating these topics at an introductory to intermediate level, Fast Light, Slow Light and Left-Handed Light focuses on the basic theory and describes the significant experimental progress made during the past decade. The book pays considerable attention to the fact that superluminal group velocities are not in conflict with special relativity and to the role of quantum effects in preventing superluminal communication and violations of Einstein causality. It also explores some of the basic physics at the opposite extreme of very slow group velocities as well as stopped and regenerated light, including the concepts of electromagnetically induced transparency and dark-state polaritons. Another very active aspect of the subject discussed concerns the possibility of designing metamaterials in which the refractive index can be negative and propagating light is left-handed in the sense that the phase and group velocities are in opposite directions. The last two chapters are an introduction to some of the basic theory and consequences of negative refractive index, with emphasis on the seminal work carried out since 2000. The possibility that "perfect" lenses can be made from negative-index metamaterials-which has been perhaps the most controversial aspect of the field-is introduced and discussed in some detail.

Although photovoltaics are regarded by many as the most likely candidate for long term sustainable energy production, their implementation has been restricted by the high costs involved. Nevertheless, the theoretical limit on photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency-above 85%-suggests that there is room for substantial improvement of current commercially available solar cells, both silicon and thin-film based. Current research efforts are focused on implementing novel concepts to produce a new generation of low-cost, high-performance photovoltaics that make improved use of the solar spectrum. Featuring contributions from pioneers of next generation photovoltaic research, Next Generation Photovoltaics: High Efficiency through Full Spectrum Utilization presents a comprehensive account of the current state-of-the-art in all aspects of the field. The book first discusses topics, such as multi-junction solar cells (the method closest to commercialization), quantum dot solar cells, hot carrier solar cells, multiple quantum well solar cells, and thermophotovoltaics. The final two chapters of the book consider the materials, fabrication methods, and concentrator optics used for advanced photovoltaic cells. This book will be an essential reference for graduate students and researchers working with solar cell technology.

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is the most important example of a stimulated scattering process-light scattering that occurs when the intensity of the light field itself affects the propagating medium. A phenomenon that has been known of for some 35 years in solid state laser research, it has recently become relevant in the optical fiber industry, due to the increasing intensity required in optical fiber cores (and their long interaction lengths). SBS is one of the major limiting factors on the amount of power that can be transmitted via an optical fiber. This book describes the underlying physics of SBS, much of which are applicable to other fields of research, including, to some extent, plasma physics. It provides references to experimental details throughout. Later chapters investigate more advanced concepts and feature the problems faced by researchers using optical fibers.

Photoluminescence spectroscopy is an important approach for examining the optical interactions in semiconductors and optical devices with the goal of gaining insight into material properties. With contributions from researchers at the forefront of this field, Handbook of Luminescent Semiconductor Materials explores the use of this technique to study semiconductor materials in a variety of applications, including solid-state lighting, solar energy conversion, optical devices, and biological imaging. After introducing basic semiconductor theory and photoluminescence principles, the book focuses on the optical properties of wide-bandgap semiconductors, such as AlN, GaN, and ZnO. It then presents research on narrow-bandgap semiconductors and solid-state lighting. The book also covers the optical properties of semiconductors in the nanoscale regime, including quantum dots and nanocrystals. This handbook explains how photoluminescence spectroscopy is a powerful and practical analytical tool for revealing the fundamentals of light interaction and, thus, the optical properties of semiconductors. The book shows how luminescent semiconductors are used in lasers, photodiodes, infrared detectors, light-emitting diodes, solid-state lamps, solar energy, and biological imaging.

Radar networks are increasingly regarded as an efficient approach to enhancing radar capabilities in the face of popular anti-radar techniques and hostile operating environments. Reader-friendly and self-contained, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest radar networking technologies. The text addresses basic, relevant aspects of radar signal processing and statistical theories, including both civilian and military radar applications. It also discusses emerging topics that directly relate to networks, such as multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radars, waveform design, and diversity via multiple transmitters. Other topics covered include target recognition and imaging using radar networks. Features Gives a comprehensive view of the latest radar network technologies Covers both civilian and military applications of radar Provides basic statistics and signal processing necessary for understanding radar networks Includes up-to-date information on MIMO radars Presents waveform design and diversity for radar networks with multiple transmitters

Optical Properties and Remote Sensing of Inland and Coastal Waters discusses the methodology and the theoretical basis of remote sensing of water. It presents physical concepts of aquatic optics relevant to remote sensing techniques and outlines the problems of remote measurements of the concentrations of organic and inorganic matter in water. It also details the mathematical formulation of the processes governing water-radiation interactions and discusses the development of bio-optical models to incorporate optically complex bodies of water into remote sensing projects. Optical Properties and Remote Sensing of Inland and Coastal Waters derives and evaluates the interrelationships among inherent optical properties of natural water, water color, water quality, primary production, volume reflectance spectra, and remote sensing. This timely and comprehensive text/reference addresses the increasing tendency toward multinational and multidisciplinary climate studies and programs.

Intended as an undergraduate/post graduate level textbook for courses on high speed optical networks as well as computer networks. Nine chapters cover basic principles of the technology and different devices for optical networks, as well as processing of integrated waveguide devices of optical networks using different technologies. It provides students, researchers and practicing engineers with an expert guide to the fundamental concepts, issues and state of the art developments in optical networks. Includes examples throughout all the chapters of the book to aid understanding of basic problems and solutions.

Holographic and speckle interferometry are optical techniques which use lasers to make non-contracting field view measurements at a sensitivity of the wavelength of light on optically rough (i.e. non-mirrored) surfaces. They may be used to measure static or dynamic displacements, the shape of objects, and refractive index variations of transparent media. As such, these techniques have been applied to the solution of a wide range of problems in strain and vibrational analysis, non-destructive testing (NDT), component inspection and design analysis and fluid flow visualisation. This book provides a self-contained, unified, theoretical analysis of the basic principles and associated opto-electronic techniques (for example Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry). In addition, a detailed discussion of experimental design and practical application to the solution of physical problems is presented. In this new edition, the authors have taken the opportunity to include a much more coherent description of more than twenty individual case studies that are representative of the main uses to which the techniques are put. The Bibliography has also been brought up to date.

Being the most active field in modern physics, Optical Physics has developed many new branches and interdisciplinary fields overlapping with various classical disciplines. This series summarizes the advancements of optical physics in the past twenty years in the following fields: High Field Laser Physics, Precision Laser Spectroscopy, Nonlinear Optics, Nanophotonics, Quantum Optics, Ultrafast Optics, Condensed Matter Optics, and Molecular Biophotonics.

This book describes the fascinating recent advances made concerning the chaos, stability and instability of semiconductor lasers, and discusses their applications and future prospects in detail. It emphasizes the dynamics in semiconductor lasers by optical and electronic feedback, optical injection, and injection current modulation. Applications of semiconductor laser chaos, control and noise, and semiconductor lasers are also demonstrated. Semiconductor lasers with new structures, such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and broad-area semiconductor lasers, are intriguing and promising devices. Current topics include fast physical number generation using chaotic semiconductor lasers for secure communication, development of chaos, quantum-dot semiconductor lasers and quantum-cascade semiconductor lasers, and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. This fourth edition has been significantly expanded to reflect the latest developments. The fundamental theory of laser chaos and the chaotic dynamics in semiconductor lasers are discussed, but also for example the method of self-mixing interferometry in quantum-cascade lasers, which is indispensable in practical applications. Further, this edition covers chaos synchronization between two lasers and the application to secure optical communications. Another new topic is the consistency and synchronization property of many coupled semiconductor lasers in connection with the analogy of the dynamics between synaptic neurons and chaotic semiconductor lasers, which are compatible nonlinear dynamic elements. In particular, zero-lag synchronization between distant neurons plays a crucial role for information processing in the brain. Lastly, the book presents an application of the consistency and synchronization property in chaotic semiconductor lasers, namely a type of neuro-inspired information processing referred to as reservoir computing.

This book presents the latest developments in Femtosecond Chemistry and Physics for the study of ultrafast photo-induced molecular processes. Molecular systems, from the simplest H2 molecule to polymers or biological macromolecules, constitute central objects of interest for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and despite the broad range of phenomena that they exhibit, they share some common behaviors. One of the most significant of those is that many of the processes involving chemical transformation (nuclear reorganization, bond breaking, bond making) take place in an extraordinarily short time, in or around the femtosecond temporal scale (1 fs = 10-15 s). A number of experimental approaches - very particularly the developments in the generation and manipulation of ultrashort laser pulses - coupled with theoretical progress, provide the ultrafast scientist with powerful tools to understand matter and its interaction with light, at this spatial and temporal scale. This book is an attempt to reunite some of the state-of-the-art research that is being carried out in the field of ultrafast molecular science, from theoretical developments, through new phenomena induced by intense laser fields, to the latest techniques applied to the study of molecular dynamics.