The effect of non-linear quantum electrodynamics on relativistic transparency and laser absorption in ultra-relativistic plasmas

摘要

With the aid of large-scale three-dimensional QED-PIC simulations, wedescribe a realistic experimental configuration to measure collective effectsthat couple strong field quantum electrodynamics to plasma kinetics. For twocounter propagating lasers interacting with a foil at intensities exceeding$10^{22}$ Wcm$^{-2}$, a binary result occurs; when quantum effects areincluded, a foil that classically would effectively transmit the laser pulsebecomes opaque. This is a dramatic change in plasma behavior, directly as aconsequence of the coupling of radiation reaction and pair production to plasmadynamics.