My research interest covers several aspects of "Nonlinear Photonics" in semiconductor-based devices (in particular VCSELs and VECSELs) and samples of laser-cooled atoms. Objectives are the understanding of the complex nonlinear processes determining - and partially limiting - the performance of photonic devices and lasers, their control, optimisation and applications as well as the utilization of nonlinearities for all-optical processing.