Laser fusion and high field science in Japan and in Asia

Kato, Yoshiaki 

There has been significant progress in laser fusion and high field science in Japan as well as in Asia. The updated status and recent results in these fields will be reviewed. Short-pulse high-power lasers for high field science and high energy lasers for laser fusion are being developed at many laboratories in Asia, stimulating interactions among the Asian and with the Western countries. These activities will help developing understandings on plasma physics at high field and efficient laser drivers that form the bases for laser fusion and high field science. A new program on optical science and technology is being laid out in Japan under MEXT, with which the research on lasers and photonics will be enhanced by forming research networks among the institutes and universities.