A table-top laser-based source of short, collimated, ultra-relativistic positron beams

G. Sarri*, W. Schumaker, A. Di Piazza, M. Vargas, B. Dromey, M. E. Dieckmann, V. Chvykov, A. Maksimchuk, V. Yanovsky, Z. H. He, B. X. Hou, J. A. Nees, A. G R Thomas, C. H. Keitel, M. Zepf, K. Krushelnick

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An ultra-relativistic electron beam passing through a thick, high-Z solid target triggers an electromagnetic cascade, whereby a large number of high energy photons and electron-positron pairs are produced. By exploiting this physical process, we present here the first experimental evidence of the generation of ultra-short, highly collimated and ultra-relativistic positron beams following the interaction of a laser-wake field accelerated electron beam with high-Z solid targets. Clear evidence has also been obtained of the generation of GeV electron-positron jets with variable composition depending on the solid target material and thickness. The percentage of positrons in the overall leptonic beam has been observed to vary from a few per cent up to almost fifty per cent, implying a quasi-neutral electron-positron beam. We anticipate that these beams will be of direct relevance to the laboratory study of astrophysical leptonic jets and their interaction with the interstellar medium.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsE Esarey, CB Schroeder, WP Leemans, KWD Ledingham, DA Jaroszynski
Place of PublicationBELLINGHAM
PublisherSPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Number of pages7
Volume8779
ISBN (Print)9780819495815
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2013
EventLaser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions II; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles II; and Harnessing Relativistic Plasma Waves III - Prague, Czech Republic
Duration: 15 Apr 201318 Apr 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
PublisherSPIE-INT SOC OPTICAL ENGINEERING
Volume8779
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceLaser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions II; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles II; and Harnessing Relativistic Plasma Waves III
Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
CityPrague
Period15/04/201318/04/2013

Keywords

  • pair production
  • electron-positron beams
  • laser
  • astrophysical jets
  • ELECTRON-BEAMS
  • GENERATION
  • ACCELERATION
  • FEMTOSECOND
  • SHOCK

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