Generation and characterization of the highest laser intensities (10²² W/cm²)

We generated a record peak intensity of 0.7 × 1022 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 μm was achieved. It is shown that the peak intensity can be increased to 1.0 × 1022 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.