Laser-driven plasma pinching in $e^{-}e^{+}$ cascade

TL;DR

This study uses 3D particle-in-cell simulations to explore how ultra-intense laser fields can generate electron-positron plasma cascades that undergo self-pinching, reaching extreme densities and fields, useful for fundamental physics research.

Contribution

It demonstrates the possibility of laser-induced plasma pinching at powers above 20 PW, revealing new extreme plasma states and conditions for probing fundamental physics.

Findings

Plasma density can reach at least 10^{28} cm^{-3}.

Magnetic and electric fields can reach significant fractions of the Schwinger field.

Pinching occurs in laser fields above 20 PW.

Abstract

The cascaded production and dynamics of electron-positron plasma in ultimately focused laser fields of extreme intensity are studied by 3D particle-in-cell simulations with the account for the relevant processes of quantum electrodynamics (QED). We show that, if the laser facility provides a total power above 20 PW, it is possible to trigger not only a QED cascade but also pinching in the produced electron-positron plasma. The plasma self-compression in this case leads to an abrupt rise of the peak density and magnetic (electric) field up to at least $10^{28}$ cm$^{-3}$ and 1/20 (1/40) of the Schwinger field, respectively. Determining the actual limits and physics of this process might require quantum treatment beyond the used standard semiclassical approach. The proposed setup can thus provide extreme conditions for probing and exploring fundamental physics of the matter and vacuum.