Coherence and transient nonlinearity in laser probing

This review of laser probing first outlines some general aspects, noting a number of topics not covered in conference LAP2002. In more detail it describes the probing of atoms (or molecules) to determine excitation properties. This leads naturally to the consideration of ways in which coherent transients affect the response of matter to laser radiation. These include stimulated Raman adiabatic passage, with associated dark state, and electromagnetically induced modifications of transparency and refractive indices.