Understanding interactions of ultrashort laser pulses with ceramics and glasses is critical for advancing the frontier of ultrafast materials science and producing novel states and structures in glasses, ceramics, and glass-ceramics. First, an overview of generation and control of ultrashort pulses covering nano-, pico-, femto-, and attosecond timescales will be presented. Chirped pulse amplification (CPA) that led to advancement of ultrashort laser pulses will be introduced, followed by details on how these pulses interact with materials. Linear and nonlinear optical processes induced by the laser pulses will be discussed. Feasibility of high-harmonic generation (HHG) in quartz crystal, fused silica, and oxides reported in the literature will be presented. Femtosecond laser based processing e.g., writing of wave guides, gratings, band gap structures, ceramic microstructuring, and glass strengthening, will be described. The presentation will conclude with the promise of extreme light sources in study of materials, particularly ceramics and glasses.
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