Direct measurement of the elastic scattering of real photons on an electromagnetic field would allow the fundamental low-energy constants of quantum electrodynamics (QED) to be experimentally determined. We show that scenarios involving the collision of three laser beams have several advantages over conventional two-beam scenarios. The kinematics of a three-beam collision allows for a higher...
Numerical simulations are an essential tool in plasma physics: they help us understand the dynamics of complex systems, interpret experimental results, and design novel radiation and particle sources. This is especially true in the high-intensity regime, where strong-field QED interactions affect, and are affected by, classical, collective plasma processes. In this talk I will give a tutorial...
Since the initial prediction of the onset of selfsustained QED cascades upon injection of particles in certain electromagnetic field configurations [1], the pivotal theory questions remain the same: (i) What are the general conditions required to trigger such cascades? (ii) How many electron-positron pairs can be produced? (iii) What is the threshold of the phenomenon, particularly in the...
In extreme astrophysical environments such as neutron stars, pulsars and magnetars, magnetic fields can reach strengths as high as 1015 Gauss. Due to the fast rotation of the star, a very large electric field is associated with these strong magnetic fields which accelerates charged particles to energies from GeV to TeV and provides an excellent environment for so-called QED shower [1-2]....