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30 September 1996Some challenges in ultrafast intense laser science
Some challenges in ultrafast intense laser science will be discussed. We introduce the possibility of lightning control based on the self-focussing and channeling phenomenon. This leads us to discuss various basic scientific and technological problems which include the laser source technology, high harmonics generation, multiphoton and tunnel ionization, stabilization and dissociation in atoms and molecules, etc. The propagation of these pulses (self- focussing, supercontinuum generation, transport of high intensity pulses to long distances etc.) and applications (intense VUV and X-ray source, medical sterilization, control of lightning etc.) will also be discussed.