Photo-induced pair production and strong field QED on Gemini

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of using Gemini laser facilities to explore non-linear quantum electrodynamics phenomena, including electron-positron pair production from vacuum and other extreme radiation regimes, through a series of planned experiments.

Contribution

It introduces the first experiment in a series aimed at observing vacuum pair production and exploring extreme QED effects with high-intensity lasers.

Findings

Theoretical calculations suggest feasible conditions for pair production.

Design of a multi-part experimental campaign for non-linear QED phenomena.

Potential to observe vacuum pair production for the first time.

Abstract

The extreme intensities obtainable with lasers such as Gemini allow non-linear QED phenomena to be investigated according to our calculations. Electron-positron pair production from a pure vacuum target, which has yet to be observed experimentally, is possibly the most iconic process. Beyond pair-production our campaign will allow the experimental investigation of currently unexplored extreme radiation regimes, like the quantum radiation dominated regime (where quantum and self-field effects become important) and non-linear Compton scattering. This is the first experiment in a multi-part campaign proposed by a major international collaboration to investigate non-linear QED. This proposal is for the first experiment in a series of 3 to achieve our most high-profile experimental goal of pair production in vacuum, but each experiment is designed to have its own tangible high-profile outcome.