Pair production in counter-propagating laser beams

Journal article

Based on an analysis of a specific electron trajectory in counter-propagating beams, Bell and Kirk (2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 101 200403) recently suggested that laboratory lasers may shortly be able to produce significant numbers of electron-positron pairs. We confirm their results using an improved treatment of non-linear Compton scattering in the laser beams. Implementing an algorithm that integrates classical electron trajectories, we then examine a wide range of laser pulse shapes and polarizations. We find that counter-propagating, linearly polarized beams, with either aligned or crossed orientation, are likely to initiate a pair avalanche at intensities of approximately 1024 W cm-2 per beam. The same result is found by modelling one of the beams as a wave reflected at the surface of an overdense solid. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Authors: Kirk, J; Bell, A; Arka, I

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: PLASMA PHYSICS AND CONTROLLED FUSION
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 085008-085008
• Publication date: 2009-08-01
• DOI: 10.1088/0741-3335/51/8/085008
• EISSN: 1361-6587
• ISSN: 0741-3335
• Language: English