Strong laser light relations

Intensity is energy density times velocity (of light).

energy density W = 81
( E2 + B2 )
In SI units, this must be multiplied by 4
0. Contributions from E2
and B2 are equal,
WSI = ( 0 E2)
Multiplying this by c = 2:99 108 ms;1 gives the intensity of the laser
beam, usually given in cmW
2

The conversion formula is best obtained in the SI system.

For an example given in the Physics Today, the future strong eld
limit, consider the huge intensity of
W with the electric eld strength 1014 V Relations
1021 cm 2 m
SI: WSI = ( 0 E 2) 0 = 8:9 10;12 mF = 8:9 10;12 VCm (Coulomb/(Volt
meter) ) Evaluating the case:
0 12
I = 0 E 2c = 8:9
10;12 V m @1014 m A 2:99 108 ms 
C V

2:65
10
10;12
1028
108  2:65
1025

V V Cm
V m3 s
Taking that V C = J , the unit is

1025
J = 1025 W = 1021 W
s m2 m2 cm2
The eld 1014 mV is indeed huge. Let us compare it with the typical
atomic eld strengths, i.e. atomic unit of electric eld intensity:
1. a.u. energy per 1 electron charge per a0

jE0j = 271eV 1
e 0:52910;10m = 5 :14
1011 V
m
The corresponding intensity is then
W
0:514
10;22 = 0:70
1017 W
2:65
1021 cm 2 cm2