Quantum Electrodynamics
Laser experiments focused on QED processes
Gemini target area
Signal photon spectrum in a vacuum emission process
Image: Alexander BlinneThe quantum vacuum models the ground state of nature as a sea of virtual particle pairs. This loaded vacuum is described by quantum field theory, the most fundamental theory for all known field and matter interactions.
The interaction of light with the quantum vacuum gives rise to some of the most fundamental and exotic processes in modern physics which remain largely untested in the laboratory. Experiments demonstrating the predicted processes have only recently become possible thanks to the advent of ultra-intense lasers with up to 10 petawatt (PW) peak power. Seizing this opportunity is the goal of this DFG Research Unit.
Our unified theoretical and experimental effort is beginning to expose the details of nonlinear QED vacuum interactions. The ambitious program of the research unit provides both firm, theoretical predictions and forthcoming experiments of these processes. Our cutting edge research is enabled through combining the most advanced ultra-intense laser technologies with novel, high-purity detection schemes.
Our research group is part of the DFG funded collaboration FOR 2783: Probing the Quantum vacuumExternal link.
Experiments are also conducted a spart oft the SFQED collbaoration at FACET facility, Stanford Linear Accelerator Lab, USAExternal link.
Publications:
- F C Salgado et al. Single particle detection system for strong-field QED experiments.External link 2022 New J. Phys. 24 015002
- F C Salgado et al. Towards pair production in the non-perturbative regime.External link 2021 New J. Phys. 23 105002
- B Kettle et al. A laser-plasma platform for photon-photon physics: the two photon Breit-Wheeler process.External link 2021 New J. Phys. 23 115006
- K. Poder, M. Tamburini, G. Sarri, A. Di Piazza et al., "Experimental Signatures of the Quantum Nature of Radiation Reaction in the Field of an Ultraintense Laser"External link, Phys. Rev. X 8 (3), 031004, (2018)
- J. M. Cole, K. T. Behm, E. Gerstmayr, T. G. Blackburn et al., "Experimental Evidence of Radiation Reaction in the Collision of a High-Intensity Laser Pulse with a Laser-Wakefield Accelerated Electron Beam"External link, Phys. Rev. X 8 (1), 011020, (2018)
- G. M. Samarin, M. Zepf and G. Sarri, "Radiation reaction studies in an all-optical set-up: experimental limitations"External link, J. Mod. Opt. 65 (11), (2018)
- H. X. Chang, B. Qiao, T. W. Huang, Z. Xu et al., "Brilliant petawatt gamma-ray pulse generation in quantum electrodynamic laser-plasma interaction"External link, Sci. Rep. 7, 45031, (2017)