Trends in relativistic laser–matter interaction: the promises of structured light
Time and space envelope, frequency and wavelength distributions, polarization, and phase are quantities that define the properties of laser light. Controlling them opens up strategies for manipulating the properties of atoms in various media. At relativistic intensity, matter is rapidly transformed into a plasma state, which is modifying the laser’s propagation, its absorption enabling the generation of intense magnetic and electric fields. In this context, structured light presents exciting, promising, and challenging opportunities for research. This review article aims to explain the concepts of structured light, their applications to real experiments at relativistic intensities, practical considerations, and some scientific perspectives.
Authors
- J. P. Palastro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6721-1924)
- Mihail Cernaianu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3230-4231)
- J. Vieira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5515-3624)
- Alexey Arefiev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0597-0976)
- Marco Piccardo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8851-1638)
- C. Thaury (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6537-8392)
- D. H. Froula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6981-3956)
- V. Malka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0488-2587)
Institutions
- University of Lisbon (PT)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (PT)
- Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (RO)
- Institut Polytechnique de Paris (FR)
- University of Rochester (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Optica
- Published
- 2025-04-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1364/optica.558754
- Citations
- 13
- Primary Topic
- Laser Design and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 9.50
Funders
- European Commission
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme