Relativistic nonlinear optics: from the atomic to the quark structure of matter

Summary form only given. Today laser optics is standing on the threshold of new physics frontiers. Until recently, traditional optics and nonlinear optics have addressed phenomena in the eV regime, focusing essentially on the study of the atomic structure of matter. It is today possible to produce intensities in the range of 10/sup 18/-10/sup 22/ W/cm/sup 2/, that is 10/sup 4/-10/sup 6/ higher than was possible only few years ago. These intensities could even reach in the future values as high as 10/sup 29/ W/cm/sup 2/. After a discussion of the laser intensity upper limit, we give an overview of the field of relativistic optics that could be considered as the second wind of nonlinear optics. In particular we give examples of applications to, fusion energy, astrophysics, nuclear physics, high energy physics and gravitational physics.