QED cascades induced by circularly polarized laser fields

TL;DR

This paper presents Monte-Carlo simulation results of electron-positron-photon cascades in ultra-high strength circularly polarized laser fields, confirming cascade formation and revealing energy restoration due to particle acceleration.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation approach including radiation friction effects, advancing understanding of cascade dynamics in ultra-high intensity laser fields.

Findings

Confirmed formation of QED cascades in circularly polarized fields

Identified energy and quantum parameter restoration during cascades

Highlighted potential dominance of cascades in ultra-high intensity laser interactions

Abstract

The results of Monte-Carlo simulations of electron-positron-photon cascades initiated by slow electrons in circularly polarized fields of ultra-high strength are presented and discussed. Our results confirm previous qualitative estimations [A.M. Fedotov, et al., PRL 105, 080402 (2010)] of the formation of cascades. This sort of cascades has revealed the new property of the restoration of energy and dynamical quantum parameter due to the acceleration of electrons and positrons by the field and may become a dominating feature of laser-matter interactions at ultra-high intensities. Our approach incorporates radiation friction acting on individual electrons and positrons.