Attosecond technology(ies) and science

Since 2001 and the first demonstrations of feasibility generating measuring attosecond light pulses, science has developed into a very active quickly evolving research field. Its ultimate goal is real-time tracking electron dynamics in all forms matter, ranging from atoms large molecules to condensed phase plasmas. The accomplishment this required still calls for developments ultrafast laser technology, metrology, extreme ultra-violet (XUV) optics, pump–probe measurement schemes non-linear laser-matter interaction. Moreover, interpretation experimental results experiments stimulated guided major theoretical descriptions electronic processes matter. Motivated by these two decades development, several large-scale facilities, including infrastructure—attosecond pulse source (ELI-ALPS) free facilities (the linac coherent (LCLS) at Stanford European XFEL Hamburg) are now pushing development new generation sources. This considerable technological effort opens important perspectives field with potential applications photochemistry, photobiology advanced electronics. In context, joint focus issue on Attosecond technology(/ies) J. Phys. Photon. B: At. Mol. Opt. aims provide an overview state-of-the-art science, basic involved pulses technologies that required.