Super-Intense Laser-Atom Physics (Nato Science Series II: (closed))

Super-intense laser pulses produce electric field strength peak values of the order of 1016-1018 W/cm2 in the infrared. The interaction of such fields with an atomic system (atom, molecule, cluster, etc.) gives rise to highly non-linear processes such as the emission of very fast ions or the production of coherent X-radiation. Such processes have important applications in many different fields, such as biology or nuclear fusion.
The latest research in the area is described here, concentrating on:

• the double ionisation of complex atoms;
• the ionisation and dissociation dynamics of molecules;
• the interaction of clusters with very intense, femtosecond laser pulses;
• the production of very intense, coherent short wavelength radiation;
• stabilisation and relativistic effects in super-strong fields;
• Rydberg atoms and strong field coherent control.