New horizons of optics of the midinfrared spectral range

Abstract

Optical physics and laser technologies are rapidly moving in the direction of exploring the midinfrared spectral range. New methods of mid-IR ultrashort pulse generation allow forming very short flashes of electromagnetic radiation with record high peak power for this range. The first experiments conducted with such systems make possible implementing new regimes of laser–matter interaction and shed light on unusual properties of the nonlinear-optical response of materials in the mid-IR spectral range.