Trends in relativistic laser–matter interaction: the promises of structured light

Marco Piccardo; Mihail O. Cernaianu; John P. Palastro; Alexey Arefiev; Cédric Thaury; Jorge Vieira; Dustin H. Froula; Victor Malka

doi:10.1364/OPTICA.558754

Trends in relativistic laser–matter interaction: the promises of structured light

Marco Piccardo
, Mihail O. Cernaianu
, John P. Palastro
, Alexey Arefiev
, Cédric Thaury
, Jorge Vieira
, Dustin H. Froula
, Victor Malka

Instituto Superior Técnico
Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Lisbon
Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics
University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics
University of California, San Diego
Weizmann Institute of Science Israel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	732-752
Number of pages	21
Journal	Optica
Volume	12
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.558754
Publication status	Published - 20 Jun 2025

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10.1364/OPTICA.558754

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title = "Trends in relativistic laser–matter interaction: the promises of structured light",

abstract = "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{\textquoteright}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.",

author = "Marco Piccardo and Cernaianu, \{Mihail O.\} and Palastro, \{John P.\} and Alexey Arefiev and C{\'e}dric Thaury and Jorge Vieira and Froula, \{Dustin H.\} and Victor Malka",

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T2 - the promises of structured light

AU - Piccardo, Marco

AU - Cernaianu, Mihail O.

AU - Palastro, John P.

AU - Arefiev, Alexey

AU - Thaury, Cédric

AU - Vieira, Jorge

AU - Froula, Dustin H.

AU - Malka, Victor

PY - 2025/6/20

Y1 - 2025/6/20

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105007697905

U2 - 10.1364/OPTICA.558754

DO - 10.1364/OPTICA.558754

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105007697905

SN - 2334-2536

VL - 12

SP - 732

EP - 752

JO - Optica

JF - Optica

IS - 6

ER -

Trends in relativistic laser–matter interaction: the promises of structured light

Abstract

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