Speaker
Christopher Paul Ridgers
Description
See the full Abstract at http://ocs.ciemat.es/EPS2018ABS/pdf/I2.205.pdf
Measuring quantum radiation reaction and electron—positron cascades
in laser-matter interactions
C.P. Ridgers1, D. Del Sorbo1, C. Slade-Lowther1, C.D. Murphy1, S.P.D Mangles2, T.G.
Blackburn3, M. Marklund3, P. McKenna4, R. Capdessus4
1
York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, UK
2
Blackett Laboratory, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK
3
Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenberg, Sweden
4
Department of Physics SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED) processes are predicted to play a role in the
interaction of next-generation high-intensity (> 10^23W/cm^2) laser pulses with matter. In
particular quantum radiation reaction will play a major role in the motion of the electrons
and positrons in the plasma created in the laser focus. The emitted hard-photons resulting in
this radiation reaction can also generate pairs, resulting in a cascade and so the creation of
dense pair plasmas. We will discuss laser absorption caused by quantum radiation reaction
and electron-positron cascade development in next-generation (intensity > 10^23W/cm^2)
laser-matter interactions, comparing the predictions using quantum and classical radiation
reaction models. We will also investigate experiments possible with current high-intensity
(10^21W/cm^2) lasers. Signatures of quantum radiation reaction on a counter-propagating
energetic (1GeV) electron beam will be discussed. In particular we will quantify the degree
of broadening of the energy spectrum of the beam due to quantum stochasticity.
