Radiation reaction: theory and experimental opportunities with currently available laser technology
By: Marija Vranic
From: IST-UL
At: Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Anfiteatro
[2014-11-13]
Radiation reaction is a century-old problem under a constant scientific debate. The experimental confirmation for the domain of validity of classical radiation reaction theory, as well as demonstration of the radiation reaction process outside the synchrotron configuration is still missing. We present a theoretical and numerical study of the experimental conditions that would provide an answer to some of these questions in an all-optical configuration with laser systems available today. Since near-critical fields are required to obtain significant radiation reaction, we propose to collide a GeV electron beam with an ultra-intense laser such that the field in the electron rest frame fulfils  that requirement.  We preformed 3-dimensional full-scale particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of laser wakefield accelerators to obtain the energetic electrons within few-mm plasma slabs, allowing the electron beam to interact with an intense counter-propagating laser after it leaves the plasma. We discuss measurable signatures of radiation reaction both in the electron spectra, and the backscattered laser photons, encompassing current and near-future laser technology.ÂÂ
