Multi-stage scheme for non-linear Breit-Wheeler pair-production utilising ultra-intense laser-solid interactions

Duff, M J and Capdessus, R and Ridgers, C P and McKenna, P (2019) Multi-stage scheme for non-linear Breit-Wheeler pair-production utilising ultra-intense laser-solid interactions. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, 61 (9). 094001. ISSN 0741-3335 (https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/ab2ea6)

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Abstract

Multi-petawatt (PW) lasers enable intensities exceeding 10^23 Wcm^-2, at which point quantum electrodynamics (QED) processes, such as electron-positron pair-production via the non-linear Breit-Wheeler process, will play a significant role in laser-plasma interactions. Using 2D QED-particle-in-cell simulations, we present a two-stage scheme in which non-linear pair-production is induced via an ultra-intense laser-solid interaction. The first stage is the generation of a gamma-ray beam, through the interaction of an ultra-intense laser pulse with a thick target, whose features are found to be strongly dependent on collective plasma effects. This compact, high energy gamma-ray beam (characterised by a divergence angle of approximately 10 degrees and average photon energy approximately 10 MeV) then interacts with two counter-propagating laser pulses. By varying the laser polarisation and angle of incidence, we show that in the case of two circularly polarised laser pulses propagating at an angle equal to the divergence angle of the gamma-ray beam, the produced positron distribution is highly anisotropic compared to the case of a standard head-on collision.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:68818
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    23 July 2019
    Published
    2 July 2019
    Published Online
    2 July 2019
    Accepted
    Notes:This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it.
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:11 Jul 2019 13:48
    Last modified:09 Apr 2024 00:47
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/68818
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