Physics – High Energy Physics – High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Scientific paper
2001-03-16
Phys.Lett.B510:107-116,2001
Physics
High Energy Physics
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
13 pages, 2 figures
Scientific paper
10.1016/S0370-2693(01)00496-8
There are definite plans for the construction of X-ray free electron lasers (FEL), both at DESY, where the so-called XFEL is part of the design of the electron-positron linear collider TESLA, as well as at SLAC, where the so-called Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) has been proposed. Such an X-ray laser would allow for high-field science applications: One could make use of not only the high energy and transverse coherence of the X-ray beam, but also of the possibility of focusing it to a spot with a small radius, hopefully in the range of the laser wavelength. Along this route one obtains very large electric fields, much larger than those obtainable with any optical laser of the same power. In this letter we discuss the possibility of obtaining an electric field so high that electron-positron pairs are spontaneously produced in vacuum (Schwinger pair production). We find that if X-ray optics can be improved to approach the diffraction limit of focusing, and if the power of the planned X-ray FELs can be increased to the terawatt region, then there is ample room for an investigation of the Schwinger pair production mechanism.
No associations
LandOfFree
Pair Production from Vacuum at the Focus of an X-Ray Free Electron Laser does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Pair Production from Vacuum at the Focus of an X-Ray Free Electron Laser, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pair Production from Vacuum at the Focus of an X-Ray Free Electron Laser will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-638771