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arXiv · 0905.0987

Pair production in counter-propagating laser beams

J. G. Kirk·A. R. Bell·I. Arka
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Abstract

Based on an analysis of a specific electron trajectory in counter-propagating beams, Bell & Kirk (PRL 101, 200403 (2008)) recently suggested that laboratory lasers may shortly be able to produce significant numbers of electron-positron pairs. We confirm their results using an improved treatment of nonlinear Compton scattering in the laser beams. Implementing an algorithm that integrates classical electron trajectories, we then examine a wide range of laser pulse shapes and polarizations. We find that counter-propagating, linearly polarized beams, with either aligned or crossed orientation, are likely to initiate a pair avalanche at intensities of approximately 10^{24} Watts/sq cm per beam. The same result is found by modelling one of the beams as a wave reflected at the surface of an overdense solid.

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J. G. Kirk, A. R. Bell, I. Arka. 2009-06-24. Pair production in counter-propagating laser beams. https://doi.org/10.1088/0741-3335%2F51%2F8%2F085008

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