We have developed a high-power near-single-cycle laser source at kHz repetition rate in order to steer relativistic laser-plasma interactions on the sub-cycle time scale. With this system, we demonstrate laser-driven electron acceleration in gas jets and intense attosecond pulse generation from plasma mirrors.
Extreme nonlinear optics of gaseous media is an interdisciplinary branch of applied physics motivated by various potential applications. I will discuss two of them: air lasing and channeling the dielectric breakdown of air. Both applications benefit from recent developments in ultrafast laser technology.
Laser driven plasma waves enable compact accelerators. Energies to 7.8 GeV were achieved in 20cm, and multi-GeV staging is being prepared towards future colliders. Compact photon source applications include FELs and MeV Thomson scattering. Laser development is important for high repetition rate and precision.