Dense electron-positron plasmas and gamma-ray bursts generation by counter-propagating quantum electrodynamics-strong laser interaction with solid targets

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4923265
• Publication Date: 2015-06-26T18:08:37Z
• Authors: Wen Luo; Yi-Bo Zhu; Hong-Bin Zhuo; Yan-Yun Ma; Ying-Ming Song; Zhi-Chao Zhu; Xiao-Dong Wang; Xing-Huo Li; I. C. E. Turcu; Min Chen
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 0103 physical sciences; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences

We use quantum electrodynamics (QED) particle-in-cell simulations to investigate and compare the generation of dense electron-positron plasmas intense γ-ray bursts in case counter-propagating laser solid interaction (two-side irradiation) single (one-side irradiation). In linearly polarized pulses irradiating a thin aluminum foil with each pulse peak power 12.5 PW (I = 4 × 1023 W/cm2), we calculate that about 20% energy is converted into burst γ-rays flux exceeding 1014 s.−1 This would be one most sources among those currently available laboratories. The conversion efficiency two-side irradiation three times higher than one-side using laser. Dense plasma maximum density 6 1027 m−3 are generated simultaneously during which eightfold denser compared irradiation. enhancement effects lasers results symmetrical compression target formation electric potential standing wave around target. Realizing experimentally proposed QED-strong laser-solid produce pairs prolific will made possible by Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics facility under construction.