Monte Carlo calculations of pair production in high-intensity laser-plasma interactions

TL;DR

This paper uses Monte Carlo simulations to study how straggling effects influence pair production in high-intensity laser-plasma interactions, revealing increased pair yields due to finite recoil effects during photon emission.

Contribution

It introduces a Monte Carlo method to account for straggling effects, providing new insights into pair production mechanisms in laser-plasma experiments.

Findings

Straggling effects increase pair production rates.

Finite recoil during photon emission impacts pair yields.

Monte Carlo approach enhances modeling accuracy.

Abstract

Gamma-ray and electron-positron pair production will figure prominently in laser-plasma experiments with next generation lasers. Using a Monte Carlo approach we show that straggling effects arising from the finite recoil an electron experiences when it emits a high energy photon, increase the number of pairs produced on further interaction with the laser fields.