Abstract

The introduction of high-repetition rate lasers into the relativistic domain has enabled the study of relativistic effects on a new dimensional scale. With single-wavelength focus and few-cycle pulse-duration, the total energy needed to enter the relativistic domain has been reduced to the sub-milijoule level. In addition, high data-acqui- sition rates are also available to enable close scutiny of relativistic nonlinear optics. Applications include relativistic harmonics, relativistic transparency, particle acceleration and hard, short-pulse X-ray production. We report here on the production of extremely small X-ray sources in a variety of materials using relativistically strong laser intensity.

© 2002 Optical Society of America