We use quantum electrodynamics (QED) particle-in-cell simulations to investigate and compare the generation of dense electron-positron plasmas and intense γ-ray bursts in the case of counter-propagating laser solid interaction (two-side irradiation) and single laser solid interaction (one-side irradiation). In the case of counter-propagating linearly polarized laser pulses irradiating a thin aluminum foil with each pulse peak power of 12.5 PW (I = 4 × 1023 W/cm2), we calculate that about 20% of the laser energy is converted into a burst of γ-rays with flux exceeding 1014 s.−1 This would be one of the most intense γ-ray sources among those currently available in laboratories. The γ-ray conversion efficiency in the case of two-side irradiation is three times higher than in the case of one-side irradiation using a single 12.5 PW laser. Dense electron-positron plasma with a maximum density of 6 × 1027 m−3 are generated simultaneously during the two-side irradiation which is eightfold denser compared to the one-side irradiation. The enhancement of the effects in the case of counter-propagating lasers are the results of the symmetrical compression of the foil target and the formation of electric potential and standing wave around the target. Realizing experimentally the proposed counter-propagating QED-strong laser-solid interaction to produce dense electron-positron pairs and prolific γ-rays will be made possible by the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics facility under construction.
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June 2015
Research Article|
June 26 2015
Dense electron-positron plasmas and gamma-ray bursts generation by counter-propagating quantum electrodynamics-strong laser interaction with solid targets
Wen Luo;
Wen Luo
a)
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology,
University of South China
, Hengyang 421001, China
2
Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)/Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH)
, 30 Reactorului St., Bucharest-Magurele, jud. Ilfov, P.O.B. MG-6, RO-077125, Romania
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Yi-Bo Zhu;
Yi-Bo Zhu
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology,
University of South China
, Hengyang 421001, China
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Hong-Bin Zhuo;
Hong-Bin Zhuo
3College of Science,
National University of Defense Technology
, Changsha 410073, China
4IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
, Shanghai 200240, China
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Yan-Yun Ma;
Yan-Yun Ma
3College of Science,
National University of Defense Technology
, Changsha 410073, China
4IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
, Shanghai 200240, China
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Ying-Ming Song;
Ying-Ming Song
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology,
University of South China
, Hengyang 421001, China
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Zhi-Chao Zhu;
Zhi-Chao Zhu
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology,
University of South China
, Hengyang 421001, China
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Xiao-Dong Wang;
Xiao-Dong Wang
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology,
University of South China
, Hengyang 421001, China
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Xing-Huo Li
;
Xing-Huo Li
3College of Science,
National University of Defense Technology
, Changsha 410073, China
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I. C. E. Turcu;
I. C. E. Turcu
2
Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)/Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH)
, 30 Reactorului St., Bucharest-Magurele, jud. Ilfov, P.O.B. MG-6, RO-077125, Romania
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Min Chen
Min Chen
b)
4IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
, Shanghai 200240, China
5Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
, Shanghai 200240, China
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Wen Luo
1,2,a)
Yi-Bo Zhu
1
Hong-Bin Zhuo
3,4
Yan-Yun Ma
3,4
Ying-Ming Song
1
Zhi-Chao Zhu
1
Xiao-Dong Wang
1
Xing-Huo Li
3
I. C. E. Turcu
2
Min Chen
4,5,b)
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology,
University of South China
, Hengyang 421001, China
2
Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)/Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH)
, 30 Reactorului St., Bucharest-Magurele, jud. Ilfov, P.O.B. MG-6, RO-077125, Romania
3College of Science,
National University of Defense Technology
, Changsha 410073, China
4IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
, Shanghai 200240, China
5Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
, Shanghai 200240, China
a)
E-mail: [email protected]
b)
E-mail: [email protected]
Phys. Plasmas 22, 063112 (2015)
Article history
Received:
March 17 2015
Accepted:
May 26 2015
Citation
Wen Luo, Yi-Bo Zhu, Hong-Bin Zhuo, Yan-Yun Ma, Ying-Ming Song, Zhi-Chao Zhu, Xiao-Dong Wang, Xing-Huo Li, I. C. E. Turcu, Min Chen; Dense electron-positron plasmas and gamma-ray bursts generation by counter-propagating quantum electrodynamics-strong laser interaction with solid targets. Phys. Plasmas 1 June 2015; 22 (6): 063112. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4923265
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