Dispersive optics: Paving the way to sub-cycle optical pulses

A dispersive-mirror-based laser permits a dramatic simplification of high-power femtoand atto-second systems and affords promise for their further development towards user-friendly systems with shorter pulse durations, higher pulse energy and higher average powers. The result of the continuous development of dispersive mirrors permits pulse compression down to almost single cycle pulses of 3 fs duration. These mirrors together with the recently developed wave synthesizer technology pave a way to sub-2 fs pulses. A sub-2 fs pulse has a spectrum of 350-1050 nm and corresponds to a sub-cycle optical pulse.