Full-scale ab initio 3D PIC simulations of an all-optical radiation reaction configuration at $10^{21}\mathrm{W/cm^2}$

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates through 3D particle-in-cell simulations that an all-optical setup can reach radiation reaction regimes at $10^{21} ext{W/cm}^2$, with potential to explore quantum effects at higher intensities.

Contribution

It presents the first full-scale 3D PIC simulation of an all-optical radiation reaction setup at ultra-high intensities, highlighting experimental signatures and the transition to quantum regimes.

Findings

Radiation reaction reduces electron bunch energy significantly.

Clear experimental signatures are achievable with current laser technology.

Transition to quantum radiation reaction can be studied at $10^{24} ext{W/cm}^2$.

Abstract

Using full-scale 3D particle-in-cell simulations we show that the radiation reaction dominated regime can be reached in an all optical configuration through the collision of a $\sim$1 GeV laser wakefield accelerated (LWFA) electron bunch with a counter propagating laser pulse. In this configuration radiation reaction significantly reduces the energy of the particle bunch, thus providing clear experimental signatures for the process with currently available lasers. We also show that the transition between classical and quantum radiation reaction could be investigated in the same configuration with laser intensities of $10^{24}\mathrm{W/cm^2}$.