The Scientific Programme of the COST P14 is defined by the Technical Annex of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the participating countries. It based on two mutually interlocking Working Groups. Working Group 1 investigates the interaction of ultra-short pulses, high-frequency pulses and ultra-intense pulses with atoms, molecules and clusters, i.e. the Physics of high-intensity laser-matter interactions at the microscopic level. Working Group 2 investigates the problem at the macroscopic level, i.e. the interaction of ultra-short pulses, high-frequency pulses and ultra-intense pulses with solids and plasmas.
The two working groups carry out a broad programme of research, both theoretical and experimental. The programme is divided into four Projects:
Project 1: Study of the interaction of atoms, molecules and clusters with super-intense laser pulses and few cycle laser pulses, infrared or visible, and generation of attosecond pulses.
Project 2: Study of the interaction of atoms, molecules and clusters with high-frequency radiation including attosecond pulses and pulses from free-electron lasers and X-ray lasers.
Project 3: Study of the interaction of ultra-short pulses, high-frequency pulses and ultra-intense pulses with plasmas.
Project 4: Applications of laser-plasma studies to particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, laser-induced nuclear reactions and the fast ignition approach to inertial confinement fusion.