Abstract

Ultrahigh peak power, up to 20 TW has been produced in a single beam. In the near future 100-1000 TW should be demonstrated. These pulses will have to be produced with excellent spatial (diffraction limit) and temporal (contrast 10¹⁰:1) qualities compatible to experiments at intensity level greater than 10⁺²⁰ w/cm². we will review the work done in this novel and active area of research.

© 1990 Optical Society of America