Superluminal spacetime boundary, time reflection and quantum light generation from relativistic plasma mirrors

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel plasma mirror that acts as a superluminal spacetime boundary, enabling time reflection, refraction, and quantum light generation, opening new avenues in strong-field quantum optics.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a spacetime mirror with superluminal boundary and quantum light sources, advancing the understanding of relativistic plasma mirrors in quantum optics.

Findings

Identification of superluminal spacetime boundary effects

Demonstration of time reflection and refraction phenomena

Prediction of quantum light pair generation from plasma mirrors

Abstract

A plasma mirror is an optical device for high-power, ultrashort-wavelength electromagnetic fields, utilizing a sheet of relativistic oscillating electrons to generate and manipulate light. In this work, we propose that the spatiotemporally varying plasma oscillation, induced by an ultra-high-intensity laser beam, functions as a "spacetime mirror" with significant potential for exploring quantum light. We find that the spacetime mirror exhibits several exotic features: (i) a superluminal spacetime boundary, (ii) time reflection and refraction, and (iii) quantum light sources with pair generation. Our theoretical and simulation results are in excellent agreement, and experimental verification is underway. Our work demonstrates the interplay with emerging fields such as time varying media, suggesting the plasma mirror as an ideal platform to study strong-field quantum optics at extremes.