Gamma beams generation with high intensity lasers for two photon Breit-Wheeler pair production

ORAL

Abstract

Linear Breit-Wheeler pair creation is the lowest threshold process in photon-photon interaction, controlling the energy release in Gamma Ray Bursts and Active Galactic Nuclei, but it has never been directly observed in the laboratory. Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate the possibility to produce collimated gamma beams with high energy conversion efficiency using high intensity lasers and innovative targets. When two of these beams collide at particular angles, our analytical calculations demonstrate a beaming effect easing the detection of the pairs in the laboratory. This effect has been confirmed in photon collision simulations using a recently developed innovative algorithm. An alternative scheme using Bremsstrahlung radiation produced by next generation high repetition rate laser systems is also being explored and the results of first optimization campaigns in this regime will be presented.

Authors

  • Emmanuel d'Humieres

    Department of Physics, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Xavier Ribeyre

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Oliver Jansen

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Leo Esnault

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Sophie Jequier

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Jean-Luc Dubois

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Sebastien Hulin

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • Vladimir Tikhonchuk

    Univ. Bordeaux-CNRS-CEA, France

  • A.V. Arefiev

    University of Texas at Austin, Univ. of Texas, Austin, USA, UCSD

  • T. Toncian

    Univ. of Texas, Austin, USA, HZDR, Germany

  • Yasuhiko Sentoku

    Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan., Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan, ILE, Osaka University, Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka Univ., Univ. of Nevada, Reno, USA