Singular Optics of Polychromatic Light

The interaction of light with matter is the basis of future all-optical technologies. With this project, we aim to control such interactions by engineering the energy flow of high intensity laser beams. For this purpose, we suggest using beams from femtosecond lasers having broad spectral bandwidth and complex spatial phase structure, called polychromatic singular beams. We aim to develop theoretical and experimental approaches to design the properties of such beams and study their interaction with materials. Our findings will be useful for a large variety of applications, including microscopy, lithography, and data storage, and will aid in the development of novel photonics technologies, where Australia has a strong international standing.