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arXiv · 1009.0703

Pair Creation in QED-Strong Pulsed Laser Fields Interacting with Electron Beams

Igor V. Sokolov·Natalia M. Naumova·John A. Nees·Gerard A. Mourou
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Abstract

QED-effects are known to occur in a strong laser pulse interaction with a counter-propagating electron beam, among these effects being electron-positron pair creation. We discuss the range of laser pulse intensities of J > 5*10^22 W/cm2 combined with electron beam energies of tens of GeV. In this regime multiple pairs may be generated from a single beam electron, some of the newborn particles being capable of further pair production. Radiation back-reaction prevents avalanche development and limits pair creation. The system of integro-differential kinetic equations for electrons, positrons and γ-photons is derived and solved numerically.

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Igor V. Sokolov, Natalia M. Naumova, John A. Nees, Gerard A. Mourou. 2010-09-23. Pair Creation in QED-Strong Pulsed Laser Fields Interacting with Electron Beams. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.105.195005

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