High-Power Laser Physics and Technology: From Fundamental Strong-Field Interactions to Industrial Applications

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 May 2026 | Viewed by 44

Special Issue Editors

Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, China
Interests: laser induced damage; optical materials; laser-matter interaction; silica; materials modification; contamination damage; cleaning; reactive molecular dynamics
Yangtze Delta Region Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
Interests: lasers; particle beams and their interactions with materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to the rapidly advancing domain of high-power laser physics and technology, tracing the path from fundamental strong-field science to practical, high-impact industrial solutions. Contributions will explore the newest insights into laser–matter interactions at relativistic intensities, including attosecond pulse generation, plasma-based particle acceleration, and nonlinear QED phenomena. Emphasis is placed on innovative amplifier concepts—such as OPCPA, coherent beam combining, and cryogenic Yb:YAG or Ti:sapphire systems—that push peak and average powers beyond the petawatt frontier. Diagnostics enabling spatio-temporal characterization of ultra-short, ultra-intense beams will also be highlighted. Bridging theory and application, the issue will showcase how these scientific breakthroughs translate into disruptive industrial tools: high-throughput laser-driven proton sources for oncology, compact X-ray free-electron lasers for non-destructive inspection, femtosecond micromachining of wide-bandgap materials, and next-generation laser peening or fusion-energy drivers. Cross-disciplinary studies on thermal management, adaptive optics, machine-learning control, and radiation-hardened components will further illustrate the transition from laboratory curiosity to robust, turn-key systems. By uniting fundamental researchers, laser engineers, and end-users, this collection aims to chart the roadmap for the next decade of high-power laser innovation across science and industry.

Dr. Yuhai Li
Dr. Bo Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • high-power laser
  • strong-field physics
  • petawatt laser systems
  • OPCPA
  • laser-driven acceleration
  • attosecond science
  • industrial micromachining
  • plasma X-ray sources
  • coherent beam combining
  • laser-fusion technology

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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