Journal article
Computational modelling of the semi-classical quantum vacuum in 3D
- Abstract:
- The global commissioning of multi-Petawatt laser systems provides unprecedented access to ultra-high electromagnetic fields for probing the quantum vacuum. However, current analytical models are limited, necessitating large-scale simulations for experimental validation. Here, we present real-time three-dimensional simulations of two quantum vacuum effects, using a semi-classical numerical solver based on the Heisenberg-Euler Lagrangian. The simulation model is benchmarked against vacuum birefringence analytical results with a counter-propagating setup. Simulations results of both plane-wave and Gaussian pulses are consistent with theoretical predictions. The solver is then applied to four-wave mixing using three Gaussian pulses with real-time information on the harmonic evolution. We provide quantitative explanations for the astigmatism in the output and produce precise estimates of the interaction time and size. Results are compared with the plane-wave model and previous numerical results. This solver paves the way for in-depth investigations of a broad spectrum of quantum vacuum effects in any arbitrary laser setup.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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(Preview, Version of record, pdf, 2.4MB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.1038/s42005-025-02128-8
Authors
+ Science and Technology Facilities Council
More from this funder
- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/057g20z61
- Grant:
- ST/X005518/1
- ST/V001655/1
- Publisher:
- Springer Nature
- Journal:
- Communications Physics More from this journal
- Volume:
- 8
- Issue:
- 1
- Article number:
- 224
- Publication date:
- 2025-06-05
- Acceptance date:
- 2025-05-05
- DOI:
- EISSN:
-
2399-3650
- Language:
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English
- Pubs id:
-
2127777
- Local pid:
-
pubs:2127777
- Deposit date:
-
2025-06-03
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Zhang et al
- Copyright date:
- 2025
- Rights statement:
- © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.
- Licence:
- CC Attribution (CC BY)
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