From nonlinear optics to high intensity laser physics

The laser increased the intensity of light that can be generated by orders of magnitude and thus brought about nonlinear optical interactions with media.  Chirped Pulse Amplification, CPA, changed the intensity level by a few more orders of magnitude and helped usher in a new type of laser matter interaction that is referred to as high intensity laser physics.  In this talk, I will discuss the differences between nonlinear optics and high intensity laser physics.  I will talk about the development of CPA and why short intense laser pulses can cut transparent material.  I will also talk about some of the future goals of high intensity laser matter interactions, but the loftiest goal of breaking the vacuum with light will probably take another Nobel prize winning idea to get the needed extra six orders of magnitude in intensity.