The Effect of Ultrastrong Magnetic Fields on Laser-Produced Gamma-Ray Flashes

TL;DR

This paper investigates how adding a constant magnetic field to laser-solid interactions can significantly enhance and collimates gamma-ray flashes, as shown through quantum electrodynamics particle-in-cell simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of applying a constant magnetic field to improve gamma-ray yield and collimation in laser-produced gamma-ray flashes.

Findings

Gamma-ray emission is significantly enhanced with magnetic field alignment.

Gamma-ray spatial distribution becomes collimated into a disk shape.

Magnetic field addition improves gamma-ray spectral and spatial properties.

Abstract

Laser produced $gamma$-photons can make an important impact on applied and fundamental physics that require high $gamma$-photon yield and strong collimation. We propose addition of a constant magnetic field to the laser-solid interaction to obtain the aforementioned desired $gamma$-photon properties. The $gamma$-ray flash spatial and spectral characteristics are obtained via quantum electrodynamics particle-in-cell simulations. When the constant magnetic field aligns with the laser magnetic field then the $gamma$-ray emission is significantly enhanced. Moreover, the $gamma$a-photon spatial distribution becomes collimated, approximately in the form of a disk.