Pair plasma cushions in the hole-boring scenario

Journal article

Pulses from a 10 PW laser are predicted to produce large numbers of gamma-rays and electron-positron pairs on hitting a solid target. However, a pair plasma, if it accumulates in front of the target, may partially shield it from the pulse. Using stationary, one-dimensional solutions of the two-fluid (electron-positron) and Maxwell equations, including a classical radiation reaction term, we examine this effect in the hole-boring scenario. We find the collective effects of a pair plasma 'cushion' substantially reduce the reflectivity, converting the absorbed flux into high-energy gamma-rays. There is also a modest increase in the laser intensity needed to achieve threshold for a non-linear pair cascade. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Authors: Kirk, J; Bell, A; Ridgers, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: PLASMA PHYSICS AND CONTROLLED FUSION
• Volume: 55
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 095016-095016
• Publication date: 2013-09-01
• DOI: 10.1088/0741-3335/55/9/095016
• EISSN: 1361-6587
• ISSN: 0741-3335
• Language: English