The use of ultrashort laser pulses for volume nanostructuring of dielectric materials shows tremendous potential for 3D photonics. Key aspect in the optical design is the capability to confine energy to the smallest scales, bypassing the diffraction limit. The nonlinearity of the light-matter interaction, harvesting far and nearfield effects as well as material transients is at the base of refractive index engineering on the nanoscales, enabling to develop new embedded optical functions. It will be shown how extreme scales, down to a tenth of the wavelength, can be obtained. Using quantitative optical imaging techniques, a time dynamic perspective will be given over the excitation mechanisms and the relaxation pathways, reconstructing thermomechanical trajectories. Demonstrating nanoscale features, I will pinpoint the potential for the fabrication of complex hybrid micro-nano optical systems, capable of transporting, manipulating and reconstructing optical signals. Applications in telecom and astrophotonics for sensing and imaging will be indicated.
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