  Laser control of molecular rotation is an area of active research. A number
of recent studies has aimed at expanding the reach of rotational control to
extreme, previously inaccessible rotational states, as well as controlling the
directionality of molecular rotation. Dense ensembles of molecules undergoing
ultrafast uni-directional rotation, known as molecular superrotors, are
anticipated to exhibit unique properties, from spatially anisotropic diffusion
and vortex formation to the creation of powerful acoustic waves and tuneable
THz radiation. Here we describe our recent progress in controlling molecular
rotation in the regime of high rotational excitation. We review two
experimental techniques of producing uni-directional rotational wave packets
with a "chiral train" of femtosecond pulses and an "optical centrifuge". Three
complementary detection methods, enabling the direct observation,
characterization and control of the superrotor states, are outlined: the one
based on coherent Raman scattering, and two other methods employing both
resonant and non-resonant multi-photon ionization. The capabilities of the
described excitation and detection techniques are demonstrated with a few
examples. The paper is concluded with an outlook for future developments.
