Ultrashort optical pulses and their generation in resonant media (scientific summary)

Our recent studies of methods for obtaining ultrashort light pulses and analysis of the impact of ultrashort optical pulses on classical and quantum micro-objects with the identification of the determining role of the degree of unipolarity of pulses (maximum for strictly unipolar pulses) in the efficiency of direct laser acceleration of charged particles and excitation of atoms and molecules have been reviewed. Special attention has been paid to the coherent mode locking regime in lasers, which is implemented when the laser pulse duration is less than the relaxation time of the working transition in media with resonance amplification and absorption (laser analog of the phenomenon of self-induced transparency). Experimental data on coherent mode locking in a titanium-sapphire laser with a cell with rubidium vapor at self-induced transparency in rubidium have been presented. The interaction of ultrashort pulses in resonant media has also been analyzed.