Nonlinear Ultrafast Focal-Point Optics for Microscopic Imaging, Manipulation, and Machining

When ultrafast laser pulses are tightly focused inside a transparent medium, various nonlinear optical phenomena readily occur at the focal point. These phenomena at the focal point can be utilized for nonlinear-optical microscopy, nanosurgery inside biological samples, device fabrication inside transparent materials, and welding of transparent materials. We review these new techniques from a unified viewpoint.