Modelling gamma-ray photon emission and pair production in high-intensity laser–matter interactions

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Journal of Computational Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCP.2013.12.007· OSTI ID:22230876

Ridgers, C. P. ^[1]; Kirk, J. G. ^[2]; Duclous, R. ^[3]; Blackburn, T. G. ^[1]; Brady, C. S.; Bennett, K.; Arber, T. D. ^[4]; Bell, A. R. ^[1]

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1. Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU (United Kingdom)
2. Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Postfach 10 39 80, 69029 Heidelberg (Germany)
3. Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, DAM DIF, F-91297 Arpajon (France)
4. Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL (United Kingdom)

In high-intensity (>10{sup 21} Wcm{sup −2}) laser–matter interactions gamma-ray photon emission by the electrons can strongly affect the electron's dynamics and copious numbers of electron–positron pairs can be produced by the emitted photons. We show how these processes can be included in simulations by coupling a Monte Carlo algorithm describing the emission to a particle-in-cell code. The Monte Carlo algorithm includes quantum corrections to the photon emission, which we show must be included if the pair production rate is to be correctly determined. The accuracy, convergence and energy conservation properties of the Monte Carlo algorithm are analysed in simple test problems.

• OSTI ID: 22230876
• Journal Information: Journal of Computational Physics, Vol. 260; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
97 MATHEMATICAL METHODS AND COMPUTING
ACCURACY
ALGORITHMS
ELECTRONS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
GAMMA RADIATION
LASERS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
PAIR PRODUCTION
PHOTON EMISSION
PHOTONS
PLASMA
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
SIMULATION