We present a passive and robust mode-locking scheme for a Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VECSEL). We placed the semiconductor gain medium and the semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) strategically in a ring cavity to provide a stable colliding pulse operation. With this cavity geometry, the two counter propagating pulses synchronize on the SESAM to saturate the absorber together. This minimizes the energy lost and creates a transient carrier grating due to the interference of the two beams. The interaction of the two counter-propagating pulses in the SESAM is shown to extend the range of the modelocking regime and to enable higher output power when compared to the conventional VECSEL cavity geometry. In this configuration, we demonstrate a pulse duration of 195fs with an average power of 225mW per output beam at a repetition rate of 2.2GHz, giving a peak power of 460W per beam. The remarkable robustness of the modelocking regime is discussed and a rigorous pulse characterization is presented.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ultra-short laser pulses are useful in materials processing like melting and cutting metals, and medical applications such as surgery and many other fields. In this study, we characterize and control the temporal shape of the ultra-short pulses generated from a Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser. It operates in the near infra-red spectral region, with a centre wavelength of 800 nm. The 4f pulse shaper is the main setup used to modulate spectral shape and characterize the laser pulse. The shaper consists of two diffraction gratings, two cylindrical lenses and a computer controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LC-SLM). Gratings, lenses and LC-SLM are arranged in a 4f geometry, f being the focal length of the lenses. This setup is first analysed analytically and numerically using Fourier transform and the results obtained are then compared to those obtained from the experiment. The characterization of ultra-short pulses was done using three different autocorrelation techniques such as the intensity autocorrelation, the interferometric autocorrelation, and the pulse shaping autocorrelation which can act as interferometric autocorrelation when a nonlinear crystal ß-barium borate (BBO) is placed exactly at the position of the experiment. These characterization techniques are based on the interaction between the laser pulse and a replica of it with a nonlinear crystal. The setups were implemented and measurements using the last two techniques were successfully conducted, with the pulse duration result in the range from 80-86 fs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ultrakort laserpulse het baie nut in verskeie velde waaronder materiaalprosessering (soos die smelt en sny van metale) en mediese toepassings (soos chirurgie) maar net twee voorbeelde is. In hierdie studie karakteriseer en beheer ons die vorm van n ultrakort laserpuls, afkomstig vanaf n Ti:Saffier femtosekonde laser, in tyd. Die laser straal in die nabyinfrarooi spektrale gebied uit met n sentrale golflengte van 800 nm. Ons gebruik n sogenaamde 4f-pulsvormer om die spektrum van die laserpuls te moduleer en die laserpuls te karakteriseer. Die vormer bestaan uit twee diffraksieroosters, twee silindriese lense en n rekenaarbeheerde vloeibare kristal ruimtelike-lig-modulator (LC-SLM). Die diffraksieroosters, lense en LC-SLM is in n 4f-geometrie gerangskik, met f die brandpunt van die lense. Die opstelling is eers analities en numeries beskou deur van Fourier-transformasies gebruik te maak waarna die resultate wat verkry is met die van n eksperiment vergelyk is. Die karakterisering van ultrakort laserpulse was met drie verskillende outokorrelasie tegnieke gedoen, naamlik n intensiteits-outokorrelasie, n interferometriese-outokorrelasie en n pulsvormer-outokorrelasie. Die pulsvormer kan as n interferometriese-outokorrelator optree indien n nie-lineêre kristal ß-bariumboraat (BBO) by die uitset van die pulsvormer geplaas word. Hierdie karakteriseringstegnieke is gebaseer op die interaksie tussen die oorspronklike laserpuls en n kopie van die laserpuls in n nie-lineêre kristal. Die nodige opstellings virdie metings is gemaak en die metings was suksesvol uitgevoer. Die pulslengte wat gemeet is, is in die orde van 80-86 fs.

Šioje disertacijoje tiriami nuolatinai kaupinami regeneraciniai stiprintuvai su ilgos relaksacijos trukmės lazerine terpe. Tikslas buvo išanalizuoti bendrus tokių sistemų sudėtingos dinamikos dėsningumus pasireiškiančios aukštų dažnių diapazone ir surasti būdą pasiekti maksimalias išėjimo impulsų energijas išlaikant jų stabilumą. Analitiškai aprašomos pagrindinės optimizuotų ir stabiliame režime veikiančių stiprintuvų charakteristikos, tokios kaip optimalūs pradinis ir galutinis stiprinimo koeficientai, maksimali išėjimo impulso energija, rezonatoriuje išsklaidytoji galia, daugelio praėjimų B-integralas ir rezonatoriaus apėjimų skaičius, su kuriuo gaunama maksimali išėjimo impulso energija. Nustatytos egzistuojančių dinaminių režimų (stabilaus, kvaziperiodinio ir chaotinio) sritys valdančiųjų parametrų erdvėje. Išsiaiškinta, kad nestabilaus veikimo sritis mažėja, kai užkrato impulso energija didėja. Sukurtas ir išplėtotas stabilumo diagramų metodas, kuris ne tik suformuoja sisteminį požiūrį į regeneracinio stiprinimo dinamikos optimizavimą, bet ir leidžia nustatyti užkrato energijos dydį, pakankamą stabiliam veikimui palaikyti. Nustatytos darbinės charakteristikos kritiniame impulsų pasikartojimo dažnių diapazone, kur neegzistuoja analitiniai sprendiniai ir nestabilumai yra labiausiai tikėtini. Teoriniai rezultatai patvirtinti eksperimentiškai diodais kaupinamoje pikosekundinėje Nd:YVO4 lazerinėje sistemoje. Pademonstruota, kad užkrato impulso energijos padidinimas susiaurina... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This thesis presents a detailed study of continuously pumped regenerative amplifiers based on long-relaxation-time laser media. The goal of the research was to develop a general pattern of complex dynamics peculiar to such systems at high repetition rates and to find a way to improve performance characteristics affected by instabilities. Basic parameters of the optimally coupled regenerative amplifier operating in stable regime were derived in analytical form. They include optimum initial and final gains, the maximum output pulse energy, the power dissipation, the multi-pass B-integral and the roundtrip number providing the maximum output energy. A comprehensive pattern of existing dynamic regimes (stable, quasi-periodic and chaotic) was represented in space of controlling parameters. It has been found that the space of unstable operation decreases as the seed pulse energy increases. A method of stability diagrams, which forms a systematic approach to the optimization of regenerative amplification dynamics and in particular allows one to determine the seed pulse level sufficient to maintain the operation stable, has been developed. Performance characteristics were determined in the critical range of repetition rates, where instabilities are pronounced at the most and analytical solutions are unavailable. The experiments, carried out using the diode pumped picosecond Nd:YVO4 laser system, exhibited a good agreement with theoretical inferences. It has been demonstrated that... [to full text]

This thesis presents a detailed study of continuously pumped regenerative amplifiers based on long-relaxation-time laser media. The goal of the research was to develop a general pattern of complex dynamics peculiar to such systems at high repetition rates and to find a way to improve performance characteristics affected by instabilities. Basic parameters of the optimally coupled regenerative amplifier operating in stable regime were derived in analytical form. They include optimum initial and final gains, the maximum output pulse energy, the power dissipation, the multi-pass B-integral and the roundtrip number providing the maximum output energy. A comprehensive pattern of existing dynamic regimes (stable, quasi-periodic and chaotic) was represented in space of controlling parameters. It has been found that the space of unstable operation decreases as the seed pulse energy increases. A method of stability diagrams, which forms a systematic approach to the optimization of regenerative amplification dynamics and in particular allows one to determine the seed pulse level sufficient to maintain the operation stable, has been developed. Performance characteristics were determined in the critical range of repetition rates, where instabilities are pronounced at the most and analytical solutions are unavailable. The experiments, carried out using the diode pumped picosecond Nd:YVO4 laser system, exhibited a good agreement with theoretical inferences. It has been demonstrated that... [to full text] / Šioje disertacijoje tiriami nuolatinai kaupinami regeneraciniai stiprintuvai su ilgos relaksacijos trukmės lazerine terpe. Tikslas buvo išanalizuoti bendrus tokių sistemų sudėtingos dinamikos dėsningumus pasireiškiančios aukštų dažnių diapazone ir surasti būdą pasiekti maksimalias išėjimo impulsų energijas išlaikant jų stabilumą. Analitiškai aprašomos pagrindinės optimizuotų ir stabiliame režime veikiančių stiprintuvų charakteristikos, tokios kaip optimalūs pradinis ir galutinis stiprinimo koeficientai, maksimali išėjimo impulso energija, rezonatoriuje išsklaidytoji galia, daugelio praėjimų B-integralas ir rezonatoriaus apėjimų skaičius, su kuriuo gaunama maksimali išėjimo impulso energija. Nustatytos egzistuojančių dinaminių režimų (stabilaus, kvaziperiodinio ir chaotinio) sritys valdančiųjų parametrų erdvėje. Išsiaiškinta, kad nestabilaus veikimo sritis mažėja, kai užkrato impulso energija didėja. Sukurtas ir išplėtotas stabilumo diagramų metodas, kuris ne tik suformuoja sisteminį požiūrį į regeneracinio stiprinimo dinamikos optimizavimą, bet ir leidžia nustatyti užkrato energijos dydį, pakankamą stabiliam veikimui palaikyti. Nustatytos darbinės charakteristikos kritiniame impulsų pasikartojimo dažnių diapazone, kur neegzistuoja analitiniai sprendiniai ir nestabilumai yra labiausiai tikėtini. Teoriniai rezultatai patvirtinti eksperimentiškai diodais kaupinamoje pikosekundinėje Nd:YVO4 lazerinėje sistemoje. Pademonstruota, kad užkrato impulso energijos padidinimas susiaurina... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Contemporary laser research involves the development of spectroscopic techniques to understand the microscopic structural aspects of a simple molecular system in chemical and materials to more complex biological systems such as cells. In particular, Raman spectroscopy, which provides bond specific information, has attracted considerable attention. Further with the advent of femtosecond (fs) laser, the recent trend in the field of fs chemistry is to develop nonlinear Raman techniques that allow one to acquire vibrational structural information with both fs temporal resolution as well as good spectral resolution. Among many advanced nonlinear Raman techniques, the development of fs Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) has gathered momentum in the recent decade due to its ability to (1) provide vibrational structural information of various system including fluorescent molecules with good signal to noise ratio and (2) circumvent the limitation imposed on the spectral resolution by the necessary pulse durations according to the energy-time uncertainty principle where ‘K’ is a constant that depends on the pulse shape) unlike in the case of fs normal resonance Raman spectroscopy. We have developed a technique named “Ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopy (URLS)” that is analogues to SRS, but is more advantageous as compared to SRS and has the potential to be an alternative if not competitive tool as a vibrational structure elucidating technique. The concept and the design of this novel technique, URLS, form the core of the thesis entitled “Ultrafast Raman Loss Spectroscopy (URLS)”. Chapter 1 lays the theoretical groundwork for ultra-short pulses and nonlinear spectroscopy which forms the heart of URLS. It presents a detailed discussion on the basis behind the elementary experimental problems associated with the ultra-short laser pulses when they travel through a medium, the characterization of these ultrashort pulses as well as various non-linear phenomena induced within a medium due to the propagation of these pulses. Chapter 2 focuses on the concept of SRS which resulted into the foundation of URLS. It illustrates the theoretical as well as the experimental aspects of SRS and demonstrates the sensitivity of SRS over normal Raman spectroscopy. Chapter 3 introduces the conceptual and the technical basis which ensued into the development of URLS while Chapter 4 demonstrates its application and efficiency over its analogue SRS. URLS involves the interaction of two laser sources, viz. a picosecond (ps) pulse and a fs white light (WL), with a sample leading to the generation of loss signal on the higher energy (blue) side with respect to the wavelength of the ps pulse unlike the gain signal observed on the lower energy (red) side in SRS. These loss signals are at least 1.5 times more intense than SRS signals. Also, the very prerequisite of the experimental protocol for signal detection to be on the higher energy side by design eliminates the interference from fluorescence, which appears on the red side. Thus, the rapid data acquisition, 100% natural fluorescence rejection and experimental ease ascertain “Ultrafast Raman Loss Spectroscopy (URLS)” as a unique valuable structure determining technique. Further, the effect of resonance on the line shape of the URLS signal has been studied which forms the subject of discussion in Chapter 5. The objective of the study is to verify whether the variation of resonance Raman line shapes in URLS could provide an understanding of the mode specific response on ultrafast excitation. It is found that the URLS signal’s line shape is mode dependent and can provide information similar to Raman excitation profile (REP) in the normal Raman studies. This information can have impact on the study of various dynamical process involving vibrational modes like structural dynamics and coherent control. Chapter 6 demonstrates the application of URLS as a structure elucidating technique for monitoring ultrafast structural and reaction dynamics in both chemical and biological systems using α-terthiophene (3T) as the model system. The objective is to understand the mechanism of the molecular structure dependent electronic relaxation of the first singlet excited state, S1, of α-terthiophene using fs URLS. The URLS data along with the ab-initio calculations indicate that the electronic transition is associated with a structural rearrangement from a non-planar to a planar configuration in the singlet manifold along the ring deformation co-ordinate. The experimental findings suggest that the singlet state decays exponentially with a decay time constant ( 1/e) of about 145 ps and this decay could be assigned to the intersystem crossing (ISC) pathway from the relaxed S1 state to the vibrationally hot triplet state, T1*. Lastly, Chapter 7 summarizes the entire thesis and presents some possible future prospects for URLS. Considering the advantages of URLS, it is proposed that URLS can be exploited [1] to determine the structure of any fluorescent/non-florescent condensed materials and biological systems with a very good spectral resolution (10- 40 cm-1); [2] to obtain the vibrational signature of weak Raman scattering molecules and vibrational modes with relatively small Raman cross-section owing to its high detection sensitivity with good signal to noise ratio; [3] for performing fs time-resolved study by introducing an additional fs pulse for photo-excitation of the molecule and using URLS to probe the excited state dynamics with good temporal (fs) and spectral (10-40 cm-1) resolution; and lastly, [4] the high chemical selectivity of URLS and the fact that the signal is generated only within the focal volume of the lasers where all the beams overlap can be utilized for developing this method into a microscopy for labeled-free effective vibrational study of biological samples. Consequently, it is hoped that this technique, “Ultrafast Raman Loss Spectroscopy (URLS)”, would be a suitable alternative to other nonlinear Raman methods like coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) that has made major inroads into biology, medicine and materials.

Un des problèmes à résoudre lors de la réalisation d'un endoscope non linéaire pour des applications biomédicales concerne la propagation d'impulsions ultra courtes dans une fibre optique. Les processus non linéaires concernés nécessitent de grandes puissances d'excitation, réalisables seulement pour des impulsions de très courte durée qui sont déformés et allongés par la dispersion et les non linéarités des fibres. La plupart des techniques d'illumination fibrées pour la microscopie non linéaire emploient des systèmes de pré-compensation pour neutraliser les effets de ces phénomènes. Dans ce travail, nous explorons les possibilités offertes par la formation de solitons de grande énergie dans une fibre à bandes interdites photoniques à coeur solide. Les solitons optiques ont la propriété de conserver leur forme lors de leur propagation, et leur durée reste proche de la valeur minimum définie par la limite physique imposée par leur largeur spectrale, sans avoir besoin de recourir à un système de pré-compensation. De plus, la longueur d'onde et le retard relatif des solitons peuvent être accordés en changeant la puissance lumineuse en entrée de fibre. Plusieurs sources de lumière ont été conçues et réalisées, pour générer de nombreux contrastes non linéaires. Des images d'échantillons biologiques ont d'abord été réalisées en tirant profit de la courte durée des solitons. Puis, des mesures d'absorption transitoire ont été menées dans une configuration pompe-sonde en contrôlant le retard des solitons dans la fibre. Enfin, un montage de CRS basé sur le principe de focalisation spectrale a été réalisé, et son utilité a été démontrée en suivant un équilibre chimique. / One of the issues that has to be overcome to realize a nonlinear endoscope for biomedical applications is the propagation of ultra-short pulses in an optical fiber. Nonlinear processes require high peak powers in the focal volume in order to generate observable signals, so the pulses should be as short as possible. This makes them sensitive to the dispersion and nonlinearities of the fibers. Most of the existing techniques of ultra-short pulses fiber-delivery rely on complex pre-compensation systems to counteract these effects. In this work, we explore the possibilities offered by the generation of high-energy solitons in a custom-built solid-core photonic bandgap fiber, for nonlinear microscopy and spectroscopy. Optical solitons preserve their shape when they propagate in a fiber, and their duration remains close to the minimum value physically allowed by their bandwidth, without the need of any pre-compensation. Moreover, the wavelength and delay of the soliton can be tuned by changing the power at the input of the fiber. Several soliton-based light sources were designed and realized, generating contrast in the most prevalent nonlinear microscopy modalities. TPEF and SHG images of biological samples were first realized by taking advantage of the short duration of the solitons. By controlling the delay of the soliton, transient absorption measurements were then realized in a pump-probe configuration. Finally, the wavelength tunability of the soliton was used to generate the Stokes beam in a CRS setup based on the spectral focusing technique. The capabilities of this scheme were demonstrated by performing CRS microspectroscopy to monitor a chemical equilibrium.

O desenvolvimento da Odontologia Restauradora culminou com a era das restaurações estéticas adesivas e da intervenção minimamente invasiva, para as quais técnicas inovadoras e materiais de última geração vêm sendo constantemente introduzidos. As técnicas conservadoras visam não somente a remoção do substrato dental cariado, mas também o preparo das paredes da cavidade para a realização da restauração adesiva. Este estudo visou avaliar a possibilidade de introdução dos lasers de pulsos ultracurtos na Odontologia Restauradora, com o intuito de suprir os requisitos básicos para a realização de uma restauração conservadora adequada. A intenção foi de manter os benefícios já conhecidos relacionados à remoção seletiva de cárie com os lasers de alta potência, bem como superar as desvantagens relacionadas às fontes lasers atualmente disponíveis para este fim, como aumento excessivo de temperatura e adesão prejudicada da superfície irradiada à resina composta. Para a melhor avaliação da interação entre os lasers de pulsos ultracurtos e o substrato dental, os experimentos foram realizados em três fases. A Fase 1 visou avaliar o efeito de diferentes comprimentos de onda (355 nm, 532 nm, 1045 nm e 1064 nm), durações de pulso (pico e femtossegundos) e protocolos de irradiação (velocidade de escaneamento da superfície, espessura do espécime, método de refrigeração e taxa de repetição de pulso) em esmalte e dentina. Para a Fase 2, os parâmetros de irradiação que apresentaram resultados mais favoráveis na Fase 1 foram analisados para relacionar o aumento de temperatura com a taxa de ablação e a eficiência de ablação para cada parâmetro. A Fase 3 teve como objetivo analisar a interface adesiva e os valores de microtração da dentina irradiada com os parâmetros selecionados e estudados na Fase 2, utilizando sistemas adesivos do tipo condicione e lave e autocondicionante com diferentes protocolos de adesão (Clearfil SE Bond com e sem Primer, Adper Single Bond com e sem condicionamento ácido). Os resultados obtidos na Fase 1 indicam que a dentina e o esmalte irradiados com lasers de femtossegundos de 1045 nm e picossegundos de 1064 nm apresentam superfície rugosa livre de carbonização. Os protocolos de irradiação selecionados mostram que a irradiação deve ser conduzida com maior velocidade de escaneamento da superfície, e não há necessidade de refrigeração durante a irradiação. Todos os parâmetros utilizados promoveram ablação seletiva do substrato dental, e apresentaram maior taxa de ablação para dentina que para esmalte. A Fase 2 permitiu observar que todos os parâmetros de irradiação selecionados não provocaram aumento de temperatura maior que 6,1 ºC para esmalte e 4,6 ºC para dentina, quando o aumento de temperatura foi aferido no lado oposto ao irradiado, em espécimes de 1 mm de espessura e sem refrigeração. Exceção foi observada para a maior potência do laser de picossegundos, para a qual a temperatura aumentou até 12 ºC em esmalte e 15 ºC em dentina. Os valores obtidos no ensaio de microtração variaram de acordo com os parâmetros de irradiação e o sistema adesivo. A adesão à dentina irradiada com lasers de pulsos ultracurtos apresentou valores de resistência adesiva semelhantes ou significantemente maiores que os obtidos nos grupos controle, para todos os parâmetros de irradiação selecionados. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo indicam que os lasers de pulsos ultracurtos apresentaram resultados favoráveis para o preparo cavitário em esmalte e dentina em relação à morfologia produzida na superfície e ao aumento de temperatura provocado durante a irradiação. A resistência adesiva à dentina irradiada foi semelhante, ou mesmo significantemente maior que a obtida nos grupos controle. Portanto, os lasers de pulsos ultracurtos são considerados uma técnica promissora para a realização de intervenção minimamente invasiva com lasers de alta potência. / The development of restorative dentistry has reached the era of esthetic adhesive restorations and minimally invasive approach, for which innovative techniques and advanced materials are constantly introduced. Conservative techniques aim not only to remove carious dental substrate, but also to prepare cavity surfaces for adhesive restoration. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of introducing ultra-short pulsed lasers in Restorative Dentistry, in attempt to fulfill the basic requirements of adequate conservative restoration, by maintaining the well-known benefits of lasers for caries removal, but also overcoming disadvantages related to current laser sources available for this purpose, such as temperature increase and damaged adhesion to resin composite. In order to better evaluate the interaction between ultra-short pulsed lasers and dental substrates, experimental procedures were divided in three phases. Phase 1 aimed to evaluate the effect of different wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, 1,045 nm, and 1,064 nm), pulse durations (pico and femtoseconds) and irradiation protocols (surface scanning speed, sample thickness, cooling method, pulse repetition rate) on enamel and dentin. For Phase 2, laser parameters with most favorable results in Phase 1 were evaluated to relate temperature increase to ablation rate or ablation efficiency. Phase 3 aimed to analyze adhesive interface and microtensile bond strength to dentin irradiated with the selected parameters by using etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems with different bonding protocols (Clearfil SE Bond with and without Primer, Adper Single Bond with and without acid etching). The results of Phase 1 indicate that dentin and enamel irradiated with 1,045-nm fs-laser and 1,064-nm ps-laser present a rough surface without carbonization. Irradiation should be conducted with higher scanning speed, and no additional cooling during irradiation was necessary. All parameters provided selective tissue ablation, with higher ablations rate for dentin than enamel. Phase 2 indicated that all parameters tested provoked temperature increase of up to 6.1 ºC for enamel and 4.6 ºC for dentin, when temperature increase was measured at the back side of 1-mm thick samples without cooling during irradiation, except for higher power for ps-laser, for which temperature increased up to 12 ºC for enamel and 15 ºC for dentin. Microtensile bond strength values varied according to laser parameters and adhesive systems used. Adhesion to dentin irradiated with ultra-short pulsed lasers resulted in similar or significantly higher bond strength values than control groups, for all laser parameters analyzed. Based on the results of this study, ultra-short pulsed lasers presented favorable results for cavity preparation in dentin and enamel regarding surface morphology and temperature increase. Adhesion to irradiated dentin was either similar or superior to traditional techniques. Thus, ultra-short pulsed lasers are considered a promising technique for the promotion of laser-supported minimally invasive approach.

O desenvolvimento da Odontologia Restauradora culminou com a era das restaurações estéticas adesivas e da intervenção minimamente invasiva, para as quais técnicas inovadoras e materiais de última geração vêm sendo constantemente introduzidos. As técnicas conservadoras visam não somente a remoção do substrato dental cariado, mas também o preparo das paredes da cavidade para a realização da restauração adesiva. Este estudo visou avaliar a possibilidade de introdução dos lasers de pulsos ultracurtos na Odontologia Restauradora, com o intuito de suprir os requisitos básicos para a realização de uma restauração conservadora adequada. A intenção foi de manter os benefícios já conhecidos relacionados à remoção seletiva de cárie com os lasers de alta potência, bem como superar as desvantagens relacionadas às fontes lasers atualmente disponíveis para este fim, como aumento excessivo de temperatura e adesão prejudicada da superfície irradiada à resina composta. Para a melhor avaliação da interação entre os lasers de pulsos ultracurtos e o substrato dental, os experimentos foram realizados em três fases. A Fase 1 visou avaliar o efeito de diferentes comprimentos de onda (355 nm, 532 nm, 1045 nm e 1064 nm), durações de pulso (pico e femtossegundos) e protocolos de irradiação (velocidade de escaneamento da superfície, espessura do espécime, método de refrigeração e taxa de repetição de pulso) em esmalte e dentina. Para a Fase 2, os parâmetros de irradiação que apresentaram resultados mais favoráveis na Fase 1 foram analisados para relacionar o aumento de temperatura com a taxa de ablação e a eficiência de ablação para cada parâmetro. A Fase 3 teve como objetivo analisar a interface adesiva e os valores de microtração da dentina irradiada com os parâmetros selecionados e estudados na Fase 2, utilizando sistemas adesivos do tipo condicione e lave e autocondicionante com diferentes protocolos de adesão (Clearfil SE Bond com e sem Primer, Adper Single Bond com e sem condicionamento ácido). Os resultados obtidos na Fase 1 indicam que a dentina e o esmalte irradiados com lasers de femtossegundos de 1045 nm e picossegundos de 1064 nm apresentam superfície rugosa livre de carbonização. Os protocolos de irradiação selecionados mostram que a irradiação deve ser conduzida com maior velocidade de escaneamento da superfície, e não há necessidade de refrigeração durante a irradiação. Todos os parâmetros utilizados promoveram ablação seletiva do substrato dental, e apresentaram maior taxa de ablação para dentina que para esmalte. A Fase 2 permitiu observar que todos os parâmetros de irradiação selecionados não provocaram aumento de temperatura maior que 6,1 ºC para esmalte e 4,6 ºC para dentina, quando o aumento de temperatura foi aferido no lado oposto ao irradiado, em espécimes de 1 mm de espessura e sem refrigeração. Exceção foi observada para a maior potência do laser de picossegundos, para a qual a temperatura aumentou até 12 ºC em esmalte e 15 ºC em dentina. Os valores obtidos no ensaio de microtração variaram de acordo com os parâmetros de irradiação e o sistema adesivo. A adesão à dentina irradiada com lasers de pulsos ultracurtos apresentou valores de resistência adesiva semelhantes ou significantemente maiores que os obtidos nos grupos controle, para todos os parâmetros de irradiação selecionados. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo indicam que os lasers de pulsos ultracurtos apresentaram resultados favoráveis para o preparo cavitário em esmalte e dentina em relação à morfologia produzida na superfície e ao aumento de temperatura provocado durante a irradiação. A resistência adesiva à dentina irradiada foi semelhante, ou mesmo significantemente maior que a obtida nos grupos controle. Portanto, os lasers de pulsos ultracurtos são considerados uma técnica promissora para a realização de intervenção minimamente invasiva com lasers de alta potência. / The development of restorative dentistry has reached the era of esthetic adhesive restorations and minimally invasive approach, for which innovative techniques and advanced materials are constantly introduced. Conservative techniques aim not only to remove carious dental substrate, but also to prepare cavity surfaces for adhesive restoration. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of introducing ultra-short pulsed lasers in Restorative Dentistry, in attempt to fulfill the basic requirements of adequate conservative restoration, by maintaining the well-known benefits of lasers for caries removal, but also overcoming disadvantages related to current laser sources available for this purpose, such as temperature increase and damaged adhesion to resin composite. In order to better evaluate the interaction between ultra-short pulsed lasers and dental substrates, experimental procedures were divided in three phases. Phase 1 aimed to evaluate the effect of different wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, 1,045 nm, and 1,064 nm), pulse durations (pico and femtoseconds) and irradiation protocols (surface scanning speed, sample thickness, cooling method, pulse repetition rate) on enamel and dentin. For Phase 2, laser parameters with most favorable results in Phase 1 were evaluated to relate temperature increase to ablation rate or ablation efficiency. Phase 3 aimed to analyze adhesive interface and microtensile bond strength to dentin irradiated with the selected parameters by using etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems with different bonding protocols (Clearfil SE Bond with and without Primer, Adper Single Bond with and without acid etching). The results of Phase 1 indicate that dentin and enamel irradiated with 1,045-nm fs-laser and 1,064-nm ps-laser present a rough surface without carbonization. Irradiation should be conducted with higher scanning speed, and no additional cooling during irradiation was necessary. All parameters provided selective tissue ablation, with higher ablations rate for dentin than enamel. Phase 2 indicated that all parameters tested provoked temperature increase of up to 6.1 ºC for enamel and 4.6 ºC for dentin, when temperature increase was measured at the back side of 1-mm thick samples without cooling during irradiation, except for higher power for ps-laser, for which temperature increased up to 12 ºC for enamel and 15 ºC for dentin. Microtensile bond strength values varied according to laser parameters and adhesive systems used. Adhesion to dentin irradiated with ultra-short pulsed lasers resulted in similar or significantly higher bond strength values than control groups, for all laser parameters analyzed. Based on the results of this study, ultra-short pulsed lasers presented favorable results for cavity preparation in dentin and enamel regarding surface morphology and temperature increase. Adhesion to irradiated dentin was either similar or superior to traditional techniques. Thus, ultra-short pulsed lasers are considered a promising technique for the promotion of laser-supported minimally invasive approach.