Growth rate of self-sustained QED cascades induced by intense lasers

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2402.04225
• Publication Date: 2024-11-26
• Authors: A. Mercuri-Baron; Andrey E. Mironov; C. Riconda; Anna Grassi; M. Grech
• Keywords: [PHYS]Physics [physics]; High Energy Physics - Theory; Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph); High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th); Physics; QC1-999; FOS: Physical sciences; Physics - Plasma Physics

It was suggested [A. R. Bell & J. G. Kirk, PRL 101, 200403 (2008)] that an avalanche of electron-positron pairs can be triggered in the laboratory by a standing wave generated intense laser fields. Here, we present general solution to long-standing problem growth rate calculation. We provide simple formula accounts for damping due pair and photon migration from region prolific generation. apply our model variety 3D field configurations including focused beams show i) particle yield full range intensity able generate predicted, ii) critical threshold is identified, iii) effect negligible at higher local dominates. Excellent agreement with Monte Carlo self-consistent PIC simulations shown. The calculation allows us predict when abundant production will induce back-reaction on generating plasma collective effects screening. Our applied study generation avalanches realistic fields plan future experiments ultra-high-intensity facilities.