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Relativistic Positron Creation Using Ultraintense Short Pulse Lasers

Hui Chen, Scott C. Wilks, James D. Bonlie, Edison P. Liang, Jason Myatt, Dwight F. Price, David D. Meyerhofer, and Peter Beiersdorfer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 105001 – Published 11 March 2009
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Abstract

We measure up to 2×1010 positrons per steradian ejected out the back of mm thick gold targets when illuminated with short (1ps) ultraintense (1×1020W/cm2) laser pulses. Positrons are produced predominately by the Bethe-Heitler process and have an effective temperature of 2–4 MeV, with the distribution peaking at 4–7 MeV. The angular distribution of the positrons is anisotropic. Modeling based on the measurements indicate the positron density to be 1016positrons/cm3, the highest ever created in the laboratory.

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  • Received 5 September 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.105001

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Hui Chen1, Scott C. Wilks1, James D. Bonlie1, Edison P. Liang2, Jason Myatt3, Dwight F. Price1, David D. Meyerhofer3, and Peter Beiersdorfer1

  • 1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
  • 2Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
  • 3University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Relativistic Positron Creation Using Ultraintense Short Pulse Lasers”

D. B. Cassidy and A. P. Mills, Jr.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 179501 (2009)

See Also

Lasers Provide Antimatter Bonanza

Edwin Cartlidge
Phys. Rev. Focus 23, 8 (2009)

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Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 10 — 13 March 2009

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