High-intensity laser in the world and in Japan

Tajima, Toshiki

An introductory article of the published paper by G. Mourou and D. Umstadter "Extreme Light" in the Scientific American May 2002 issue is presented at the invitation of the Editor of Nikkei Science. One of the author Professor Mourou is the inventor of the main technology of the intense laser and is the leader of the research in High Field Science. Professor Umstadter, another author, is a laser acceleration experimentalist. In this article, an emphasis is put on the description of Japanese efforts in High Field Science of recent years and their ranking in the world is mentioned. The necessary attitude in advancing such frontier science is discussed.