Laser plasma interactions with intensities from 1012–1021 W/cm2

A tutorial introduction is given to some important physics and current challenges in laser plasma interactions. The topics are chosen to illustrate a few of John Dawson’s many pioneering contributions to the physics and modeling of plasmas. In each case, a current frontier is also briefly discussed, including the 0.53 μm option for laser fusion, kinetic inflation of instability levels, and new regimes accessed with ultra-high-power lasers.