Super-Intense Laser-Atom Physics

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 (for example, atom, molecule, cluster), 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 ionization 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; stabilization and relativistic effects in super-strong fields; Rydberg atoms and strong field coherent control.