Teramobile: A mobile femtosecond-terawatt laser and detection system

Abstract

We describe the Teramobile system, a new mobile femtosecond multi-terawatt laser and detection system based on a state-of-the art CPA laser system embedded in a standard freight container, as well as a mobile detection unit allowing a characterization of the nonlinear propagation of high power laser pulses over long horizontal distances. The unique mobility feature of the whole system opens the way to previously unreachable applications for high-power laser pulses in the field of atmospheric research (lidar, laser-triggered lightning), which are also briefly reviewed.