Using one of the most powerul lasers in the world, VULCAN at the Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, the Glasgow University, Imperial College, RAL
collaboration has for the first time managed to fission uranium using laser
light. The talk will include a description of how intense laser light can
generate exotic plasmas which are capable of inducing nuclear reactions.
These can be used as an advanced plasma diagnostic technique as well as
having enormous potential for laser induced nuclear technology and proton
cancer therapy.