A review of astrophysics experiments on intense lasers

Astrophysics has traditionally been pursued at astronomical observatories a nd on theorists' computers. Observations record images from space, and theo retical models are developed to explain the observations. A component often missing has been the ability to test theories and models in an experimenta l setting where the initial and final states are well characterized. Intens e lasers are now being used to recreate aspects of astrophysical phenomena in the laboratory, allowing the creation of experimental testbeds where the ory and modeling can be quantitatively tested against data. We describe her e several areas of astrophysics-supernovae, supernova remnants, gamma-ray b ursts, and giant planets-where laser experiments are under development to t est our understanding of these phenomena. (C) 2000 American Institute of Ph ysics. [S1070-664X(00)97605-5].