Ultrafast Optics 2017

Abstract

Publication of record for individual papers is online in the SPIE Digital Library. SPIEDigitalLibrary.orgPaper Numbering: Proceedings of SPIE follow an e-First publication model. A unique citation identifier (CID) number is assigned to each article at the time of publication. Utilization of CIDs allows articles to be fully citable as soon as they are published online, and connects the same identifier to all online and print versions of the publication. SPIE uses a seven-digit CID article numbering system structured as follows: The first five digits correspond to the SPIE volume number.  The last two digits indicate publication order within the volume using a Base 36 numbering system employing both numerals and letters. These two-number sets start with 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 0A, 0B … 0Z, followed by 10-1Z, 20-2Z, etc. The CID Number appears on each page of the manuscript. IntroductionIn October 2017, Ultrafast Optics (UFO) celebrated its 11th conference and 20th year. Keeping with the long tradition of hosting UFO in special locations, the conference was held in Jackson, Wyoming, gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, with 160 attendees from 18 countries.The field of ultrafast science expanded significantly in the 1990s strongly boosted by the development of chirped pulse amplification and Ti:sapphire based ultrafast lasers. Commercially available laser systems enabled researchers around the world to make rapid advances in ultrafast research in physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, electronics, engineering, and medicine. Conferences such as CLEO and Ultrafast Phenomena were the natural forum for discussion of the science and application of these new sources. SPIE hosted a meeting as part of Photonics West that covered some of the technology aspects of ultrafast laser sources, but there was no dedicated conference focused on the science and technology of the generation, manipulation, and measurement of ultrafast laser pulses. It was, however, the sense of the community that the topic was of sufficient interest and breadth to justify a dedicated, stand-alone topical meeting.The planners of the first UFO conference in Monterey, California self-organized all aspects of the conference, counting on active engagement from the international community of ultrafast laser research groups and the financial support of several laser and optical component manufacturers. The conference operated as a weeklong, single session meeting to enable full participation of all attendees for every presentation. The sense of community was enhanced by social activities and excursions to enable casual interactions among the attendees. The success of this original formula has been duplicated over the past two decades, with the conference switching between locations in North America, Europe, and Asia.In 2017, the field of ultrafast optics continues to show rapid fundamental and technological development with significant achievements reported in numerous areas including petawatt lasers, coherent comb...