Recent scientific and technical advances have made it possible to create matter in the laboratory under conditions relevant to astrophysical systems such as supernovae and black holes. These advances will also benefit inertial confinement fusion research and the nation's nuclear weapon's program. The report describes the major research facilities on which such high energy density conditions can be achieved and lists a number of key scientific questions about high energy density physics that can be addressed by this research. Several recommendations are presented that would facilitate the development of a comprehensive strategy for realizing these research opportunities.

This book draws together three areas of work on plasma technologies: advanced efforts based on wave generated, high frequency plasmas, plasma assisted ion implantation, and electron beam generated plasma. It lays a foundation for the application of sources in industry and various research areas

The latest generation of high-power pulsed lasers has renewed interest in the ultra-relativistic effects produced by the interaction between laser beams and electrons. Synthesising previous research, this book presents a unitary treatment of the main effects that occur in the ultra-relativistic interactions between laser beams and electrons. It uses exact solutions of relativistic and classical quantum equations, including a new solution of the Dirac equation, to fully describe the field and model the main ultra-relativistic effects created within it.