Laser-driven vacuum breakdown waves

Abstract

It is demonstrated by three-dimensional quantum electrodynamics - particle-in-cell (QED-PIC) simulations that vacuum breakdown wave in the form of QED cascade front can propagate in an extremely intense plane electromagnetic wave. The result disproves the statement that the self-sustained cascading is not possible in a plane wave configuration. In the simulations the cascade is initiated during laser-foil interaction in the light sail regime. As a result, a constantly growing electron-positron plasma cushion is formed between the foil and laser radiation. The cushion plasma efficiently absorbs the laser energy and decouples the radiation from the moving foil thereby interrupting the ion acceleration. The models describing propagation of the cascade front and electrodynamics of the cushion plasma are presented and their predictions are in a qualitative agreement with the results of numerical simulations.