Gamma-ray flash in the interaction of a tightly focused single-cycle ultra-intense laser pulse with a solid target

TY - JOUR

T1 - Gamma-ray flash in the interaction of a tightly focused single-cycle ultra-intense laser pulse with a solid target

AU - Hadjisolomou, P.

AU - Jeong, T. M.

AU - Valenta, P.

AU - Kolenaty, D.

AU - Versaci, R.

AU - Olšovcová, V.

AU - Ridgers, C. P.

AU - Bulanov, S. V.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to acknowledge useful communication with Dr D. Khikhlukha and K. Lezhnin. This work is supported by the projects High Field Initiative (CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15003/0000449) from the European Regional Development Fund and ‘e-INFRA CZ’ (ID:90140) from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. C.P.R. would like to acknowledge funding from EPSRC, grant no. EP/V049461/1. The EPOCH code is in part funded by UK EPSRC grants EP/G054950/1, EP/G056803/1, EP/G055165/1 and EP/M022463/1. Publisher Copyright: Copyright © The Author(s), 2022.

PY - 2022/2/19

Y1 - 2022/2/19

N2 - We employ the γ3 regime where a near-single-cycle laser pulse is tightly focused, thus providing the highest possible intensity for the minimal energy at a certain laser power. The quantum electrodynamics processes in the course of the interaction of an ultra-intense laser with a solid target are studied via three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, revealing the generation of copious γ-photons and electron-positron pairs. A parametric study of the laser polarisation, target thickness and electron number density shows that a radially polarised laser provides the optimal regime for γ-photon generation. By varying the laser power in the range of 1 to 300 PW we find the scaling of the laser to γ-photon energy conversion efficiency. The laser-generated γ-photon interaction with a high- target is further studied using Monte Carlo simulations revealing further electron-positron pair generation and radioactive nuclide creation.

AB - We employ the γ3 regime where a near-single-cycle laser pulse is tightly focused, thus providing the highest possible intensity for the minimal energy at a certain laser power. The quantum electrodynamics processes in the course of the interaction of an ultra-intense laser with a solid target are studied via three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, revealing the generation of copious γ-photons and electron-positron pairs. A parametric study of the laser polarisation, target thickness and electron number density shows that a radially polarised laser provides the optimal regime for γ-photon generation. By varying the laser power in the range of 1 to 300 PW we find the scaling of the laser to γ-photon energy conversion efficiency. The laser-generated γ-photon interaction with a high- target is further studied using Monte Carlo simulations revealing further electron-positron pair generation and radioactive nuclide creation.

KW - Intense particle beam

KW - Plasma simulation

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124028767&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1017/S0022377821001318

DO - 10.1017/S0022377821001318

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85124028767

SN - 0022-3778

VL - 88

JO - Journal of Plasma Physics

JF - Journal of Plasma Physics

IS - 1

M1 - 905880104

ER -