My research group uses both linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopic techniques to investigate many of the fundamental dynamical processes that occur in condensed matter systems such as laser crystals, phosphors and glasses. We have developed novel techniques for investigating the dynamics of phonons in doped insulating materials and have used these techniques to study phonon-phonon, magnon-phonon and electron-phonon interactions an a variety of systems. We are currently using a combination of experiment and computer simulation to investigate the effects of high intensity ultrashort pulses on optical materials, components and systems.