Probing Vacuum Polarization Effects with High-Intensity Lasers

In this talk, I focus on the vacuum of quantum electrodynamics (QED) and discuss the status and perspectives of all-optical probes of quantum vacuum nonlinearities. I argue that, due to our quantitative theoretical understanding of the underlying fundamental physics processes in the parameter regime accessible by state-of-the-art and near-future high-intensity laser facilities, all-optical probes have the potential to allow for precision probes of vacuum polarization effects. After recalling the theoretical concepts their study is based on, I review prominent all-optical probes discussed in the literature. Finally, I detail our recent activities aiming at providing solid, quantitative predictions for precision experiments at the high-intensity frontier.