Dense Electron-Positron Plasmas and Ultra-Intense Bursts of Gamma-Rays from Laser-Irradiated Solids

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the generation of ultra-dense electron-positron plasmas and intense gamma-ray bursts using 10PW laser irradiation of solids, revealing new regimes of QED-plasma physics with potential laboratory astrophysics applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to produce unprecedented densities of electron-positron plasmas and intense gamma-ray bursts in laboratory settings, simulating astrophysical processes.

Findings

Achieved positron densities of 10^26/m^3, seven orders higher than previous experiments.

Converted 35% of laser energy into gamma-ray bursts with intensity 10^22 W/cm^2.

Identified strong feedback mechanisms in the new QED-plasma regime.

Abstract

In simulations of a 10PW laser striking a solid we demonstrate the possibility of producing a pure electron-positron plasma by the same processes as those thought to operate in high-energy astrophysical environments. A maximum positron density of 10^26/m^3 is achieved, seven orders of magnitude greater than achieved in previous experiments. Additionally, 35% of the laser energy is converted to a burst of gamma-rays of intensity 10^22W/cm^2, potentially the most intense gamma-ray source available in the laboratory. This absorption results in a strong feedback between both pair and gamma-ray production and classical plasma physics in the new `QED-plasma' regime.