8legs: Gemini laser facility

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'Einstein's flying mirror' technique opens a path towards extreme light intensities – Physics World

Oxford researchers used the Gemini laser to boost relativistic harmonic generation, potentially reaching extreme light intensities in the lab.
The plasma target acts like an oscillating mirror, creating a phenomenon described as 'Einstein’s flying mirror' to compress light.
Coherent harmonic focus was used to concentrate light to regions a few nanometres across, potentially boosting intensity vastly.
Estimated peak intensity could reach 1023 W cm−2, though direct measurement was not possible in the current run.
If confirmed, the work could enable all-optical quantum electrodynamics studies and extreme field experiments in laboratories.
The research was led by Robin Timmis and involved collaborations with Brendan Dromey’s group at Queen’s University Belfast.
The study may open a pathway to Schwinger-limit tests and laboratory quantum vacuum studies.
Future work will analyze new harmonic beams and actively control the coherent harmonic focus.
The work shows potential applications beyond physics, including ultrafast imaging and lithography.

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