THE EVOLUTION OF HIGH-ENERGY-DENSITY PHYSICS - FROM NUCLEAR TESTING TO THE SUPERLASERS

We describe the role for the next-generation ''superlasers'' in the st udy of matter under extremely high-energy-density conditions in compar ison with previous uses of nuclear explosives for this purpose. As exa mples, we focus on three important areas of physics that have unresolv ed issues that must be addressed by experiment: equations of state, hy drodynamic instabilities, and the transport of radiation. We describe some of the advantages the large lasers will have in a comprehensive, laboratory-based experimental program.