Nonlinear optics with phase-controlled pulses in the sub-two-cycle regime

Nonlinear optical effects due to the phase between carrier and envelope an observed with 5 fs pulses from a Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. T hese sub-two-cycle pulses with octave spanning spectra are the shortest pul ses ever generated directly from a laser oscillator Detection of the carrie r-envelope phase slip is made possible by simply focusing the short pulses directly from the oscillator into a BBO crystal. As a further example of no nlinear optics with such short pulses, the interference between second- and third-harmonic components is also demonstrated.