In this Priority Programme, the dynamics of strongly perturbed quantum systems is to be investigated in the nonrelativistic regime with tailored radiation fields on the femtosecond and attosecond time scale. By combining experimental and theoretical expertise and bringing together the fields of optics, quantum dynamics and chemistry, the programme aims to achieve milestones such as the control and observation of subfemtosecond charge migration or the laser-based recognition and manipulation of chiral molecules. The main focus lies on gas-phase systems, in order to watch microscopic phenomena with minimal disturbance by their environment. Proposals for this Priority Programme should take the control of microscopic processes with light to a new level.

The application of strong tailored fields to solid-state systems and clusters in a quantum mechanical, i.e. non-plasma, regime holds many open questions. Strong-field processes in unconventional media such as exploding droplets doped with nanoparticles and in laser-induced filaments imply new perspectives such as alternative attosecond pulse sources and high-harmonic generation in inhomogeneous near fields.