In plasmas, the relativistic flying mirrors are thin and dense electron or electron—ion layers accelerated by the high intensity electromagnetic waves up to velocity close to the speed of light in vacuum; in nonlinear-media the refraction index modulations are induced by a strong electromagnetic wave. The reflection of the electromagnetic wave at the relativistic mirror results in its energy and frequency change. In the counter-propagation configuration the frequency of the reflected wave is multiplied by the factor proportional to the gamma-factor squared. This scientific area promises the development of the sources of ultrashort X-ray pulses in atosecond range. Expected intensity will reach the level at which the effects predicted by nonlinear quantum electrodynamics start to play the key role. In the co-propagating configuration, the energy of the electromagnetic wave is transferred to the ion energy providing a highly efficient acceleration mechanism.

PACS: 52.35.Mw, 52.38.Ph, 52.59.Ye (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0183.201305a.0449 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2013/5/a/ 000322890700001 2013PhyU...56..429B Citation: Bulanov S V, Esirkepov T Zh, Kando M, Pirozhkov A S, Rosanov N N "Relativistic mirrors in plasmas — novel results and perspectives" Phys. Usp. 56 429–464 (2013) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 17th, July 2012, accepted: 27th, July 2012 Оригинал: Буланов С В, Есиркепов Т Ж, Кандо М, Пирожков А С, Розанов Н Н «Релятивистские зеркала в плазме — новые результаты и перспективы» УФН 183 449–486 (2013); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0183.201305a.0449