SIMLA: Simulating laser-particle interactions via classical and quantum electrodynamics

TL;DR

The paper introduces SIMLA, a versatile Fortran code for simulating charged particle interactions with laser fields using classical and quantum electrodynamics, enabling detailed studies of laser-particle dynamics.

Contribution

The paper presents a new computational tool that combines classical and quantum models for laser-particle interactions, supporting complex field configurations and quantum emission processes.

Findings

Simulates particle dynamics in various laser field configurations.

Incorporates quantum photon emission via Monte Carlo routines.

Supports multiple laser fields with customizable parameters.

Abstract

We present the Fortran code SIMLA, which is designed for the study of charged particle dynamics in laser and other background fields. This can be done classically via the Landau-Lifshitz equation, or alternatively, via the simulation of photon emission events determined by strong-field quantum-electrodynamics amplitudes and implemented using Monte-Carlo type routines. Multiple laser fields can be included in the simulation and the propagation direction, beam shape (plane wave, focussed paraxial, constant crossed, or constant magnetic), and time envelope of each can be independently specified.