Research in the field of laser thermonuclear fusion, which began more than 60 years ago at the Lebedev Physical Institute, in 2022 led to a record result in the ignition of a controlled fusion reaction in a laboratory experiment. The paper outlines the modern concept of laser fusion and the most significant results of research into pulsed plasma with an extremely high energy density produced under high-power laser irradiation of matter. A concise summary of the history of research in the field of laser fusion is presented, with emphasis placed on the role of the Lebedev Physical Institute.

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Keywords: lasers, controlled fusion reaction, inertial confinement, laser plasma, shock waves PACS: 52.57.−z DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2024.01.039630 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2024/9/c/ Citation: Gus’kov S Yu "Laser thermonuclear fusion and physics of pulsed plasma with ultrahigh energy density" Phys. Usp. 67 (9) (2024) Received: 9th, October 2023, revised: 28th, December 2023, accepted: 13th, January 2024 Оригинал: Гуськов С Ю «Лазерный термоядерный синтез и физика импульсной плазмы со сверхвысокой плотностью энергии» УФН 194 941–950 (2024); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2024.01.039630