Application of high-power lasers to study matter at ultrahigh pressures

This article reviews the current status of studies by means of lasers of superdense nonideal plasmas. The main attention is paid to laser methods of generating plane steady-state shock waves with extremely high pressures. The role is discussed of various factors that complicate the design of laser experiments: generation of high-energy non-Maxwell electrons, plasma and hydrodynamic instabilities, restrictions on heat flux, etc. The advantages are pointed out of using highfrequency lasers and layered targets to obtain a plasma with extremal parameters.