Extreme field science
Journal
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Journal Volume
53
Journal Issue
12
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Bulanov, S. V. et al.
Abstract
We discuss the progress in the development of extreme light sources that will open new horizons for studying a wide range of fundamental science and astrophysics problems. The regimes of dominant radiation reaction, which completely change the electromagnetic wave-matter interaction, will be revealed, resulting in a new extremely powerful source of ultrashort high-rightness gamma-ray pulses. The possibility of abundant electron-positron pair creation via multi-photon processes and the possibility of reaching the critical field of quantum electrodynamics, which would lead to vacuum polarization and breakdown, are attracting considerable attention.
Type
journal article