Nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in ultra-high intensity laser-plasma interactions

F. Mackenroth; N. Kumar; A. Di Piazza; M. Tamburini; N. Neitz; C. H. Keitel

doi:10.1117/12.2525369

24 April 2019 Nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in ultra-high intensity laser-plasma interactions

F. Mackenroth, N. Kumar, A. Di Piazza, M. Tamburini, N. Neitz, C. H. Keitel

Proceedings Volume 11039, Research Using Extreme Light: Entering New Frontiers with Petawatt-Class Lasers IV; 1103902 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2525369
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2019, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

An in-depth analysis of two recent studies on nonlinear QED effects relevant to large-scale numerical simulations of laser-plasma interactions is presented. We demonstrate how accounting for a plasma as a background different from vacuum affects fundamental effects of nonlinear QED, quantify hitherto neglected coherences and propose an improved approach to better account for such effects in simulations. In particular, we show how the background plasma can be included in the calculation of nonlinear QED amplitudes on the example of the emission of a single high-energy photon by a laser-driven electron with the laser experiencing a non-trivial dispersion relation due to its propagation through a background plasma. Second, we discuss the failure of the so-called local-constant- field approximation, which is employed in all state-of-the-art numerical codes implementing QED effects both in nonlinear Compton scattering and in laser-assisted pair production. Finally, we show how in laser-assisted pair production by a high-energy photon emitted from a laser-driven electron the usually employed incoherent assumption, i.e., that the two QED processes of photon emission and pair production occur at separate points in space-time, can become invalid.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

F. Mackenroth, N. Kumar, A. Di Piazza, M. Tamburini, N. Neitz, and C. H. Keitel "Nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in ultra-high intensity laser-plasma interactions", Proc. SPIE 11039, Research Using Extreme Light: Entering New Frontiers with Petawatt-Class Lasers IV, 1103902 (24 April 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2525369

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available