High e+/e− Ratio Dense Pair Creation with 1021W.cm−2 Laser Irradiating Solid Targets
Open Access
- 14 September 2015
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Scientific Reports
- Vol. 5 (1), 13968
- https://doi.org/10.1038/srep13968
Abstract
We report results of new pair creation experiments using ~100 Joule pulses of the Texas Petawatt Laser to irradiate solid gold and platinum targets, with intensities up to ~1.9 × 1021 W.cm−2 and pulse durations as short as ~130 fs. Positron to electron (e+/e−) ratios >15% were observed for many thick disk and rod targets, with the highest e+/e− ratio reaching ~50% for a Pt rod. The inferred pair yield was ~ few ×1010 with emerging pair density reaching ~1015/cm3 so that the pair skin depth becomes < pair jet transverse size. These results represent major milestones towards the goal of creating a significant quantity of dense pair-dominated plasmas with e+/e− approaching 100% and pair skin depth ≪ pair plasma size, which will have wide-ranging applications to astrophysics and fundamental physics.This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- Monte Carlo simulation of pair creation using petawatt lasersAstrophysics and Space Science, 2011
- Optimizing electron-positron pair production on kilojoule-class high-intensity lasers for the purpose of pair-plasma creationPhysical Review E, 2009
- Relativistic Positron Creation Using Ultraintense Short Pulse LasersPhysical Review Letters, 2009
- Calibration of imaging plate for high energy electron spectrometerReview of Scientific Instruments, 2004
- Pair andγ-photon production from a thin foil confined by two laser pulsesPhysical Review E, 2001
- High energy electrons, nuclear phenomena and heating in petawatt laser-solid experimentsLaser and Particle Beams, 1999
- Pair Production by Ultraintense LasersPhysical Review Letters, 1998
- Estimates of electron-positron pair production in the interaction of high-power laser radiation with high-Z targetsJETP Letters, 1998
- Absorption of ultra-intense laser pulsesPhysical Review Letters, 1992
- Laser Electron AcceleratorPhysical Review Letters, 1979