Optimization of Schwinger pair production in colliding laser pulses

TL;DR

This paper explores optimizing laser pulse configurations to maximize Schwinger pair production, employing quantum kinetic modeling and optimal control theory to enhance experimental detection signals.

Contribution

It extends the dynamically assisted Schwinger effect to realistic laser fields and introduces a method to optimize parameters for increased particle yield.

Findings

Optimized laser parameters significantly increase pair production yield.

The multi-start method effectively identifies optimal configurations.

Enhanced signals can improve experimental detection of Schwinger pairs.

Abstract

Recent studies of Schwinger pair production have demonstrated that the asymptotic particle spectrum is extremely sensitive to the applied field profile. We extend the idea of the dynamically assisted Schwinger effect from single pulse profiles to more realistic field configurations to be generated in an all-optical experiment searching for pair creation. We use the quantum kinetic approach to study the particle production and employ a multi-start method, combined with optimal control theory, to determine a set of parameters for which the particle yield in the forward direction in momentum space is maximized. We argue that this strategy can be used to enhance the signal of pair production on a given detector in an experimental setup.