title: Generation and characterization of the highest laser intensities (10(22) W/cm2).
abstract: We generated a record peak intensity of 0.7 x 10(22) W/cm2 by focusing a 45-TW laser beam with an f/0.6 off-axis paraboloid. The aberrations of the paraboloid and the low-energy reference laser beam were measured and corrected, and a focal spot size of 0.8 microm was achieved. It is shown that the peak intensity can be increased to 1.0 x 10(22) W/cm2 by correction of the wave front of a 45-TW beam relative to the reference beam. The phase and amplitude measurement provides for an efficient full characterization of the focal field.
authors.affiliation: FOCUS Center and Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA. swbahk@engin.umich.edu
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bahk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Planchon
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chvykov
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kalintchenko
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maksimchuk
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mourou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yanovsky