Introduction of laboratory astrophysics with intense lasers

Abstract

Laboratory astrophysics came into being with the advent of modern high-energy density physics research devices that can be used to create extreme physical conditions in the laboratory similar to those of certain celestial bodies or their surroundings, such as high-power lasers or pinch devices to generate extreme astrophysical plasma conditions. Such experimental conditions are unprecedented and correspond directly to many important and critical physical phenomena in astrophysics. They enable people to study the problems with astrophysical background in the laboratory in a close, active and controllable way. This paper introduces the latest progress in this field in recent years, and presents perspectives on future research directions.