Atomic processes and high-power radiation

What scientific research can be done with strong electric fields from new pulsed laser and x-ray sources? In this paper we examine three possibilities: first, nuclear fusion directly driven by high-intensity laser radiation in a DT gas target; second, nonlinear (multiphoton) x-ray processes in high-charge ions irradiated by high intensity x-ray sources; third, the interaction of ultra-short pulse lasers with solid targets. In the third case, some experiments have been performed and while theory agrees with experiment for simple metal targets, unexpected behavior occurs for targets having more complex chemical structure. These laser absorption experiments illustrate the new science that is already emerging from experiments with high-power lasers