Abstract
We review some physics phenomena that can be explored with high electromagnetic fields. Such high
fields are accessible using modern high-power laser facilities with a peak power higher than petawatt.
High fields can modify the vacuum so that the birefringence or a change of refractive index can come
into play as it behaves as matter under high laser fields. Moreover, if the field is high enough the field
can break the vacuum – an electron-positron pair is generated. Such a field not only allows searches for
the nature of vacuum or quantum electrodynamical effects but we even can explore new physics or new
particles that are yet to be discovered.
