Lasers for high-focused intensity applications

We present the theoretical limits for generation of high focused intensity laser. The important role of high- saturation-fluence materials is established and the use of regenerative chirped pulsed amplification to achieve high energy extraction from such materials is discussed. A regenerative chirped pulse amplification model and related experiments support the view that the surface damage threshold does not limit the range of useful laser materials to those with saturation fluence below the surface damage threshold. In addition the importance of phase measurement and control in providing well-defined conditions for experiments are noted.