Towards attosecond electron pulses using ultra-intense lasers

In many countries around the world, ultra-intense laser facilities are being built. These state-of-the-art lasers are intended for innovative medical and technological applications, as well as for basic experiments at the frontiers of fundamental science. Laser particle acceleration is a promising new endeavor. Recently developed schemes using radially polarized beams could help in reaching unprecedentedly short electron pulse durations, well in the attosecond range and potentially in the subattosecond range.