Electron spin polarization in realistic trajectories around the magnetic node of two counter-propagating, circularly polarized, ultra-intense lasers. (13th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Del Sorbo, D; Seipt, D; Thomas, A G R; Ridgers, C P
• Is Part Of: Plasma physics and controlled fusion. Volume 60:Number 6(2018:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2018-04-13
• Subjects: strong field QED -- ultra-intense laser-matter interactions -- particle radiation -- spin polarization; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; Controlled fusion -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6587/aab979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-3335

Abstract

Abstract: It has recently been suggested that two counter-propagating, circularly polarized, ultra-intense lasers can induce a strong electron spin polarization at the magnetic node of the electromagnetic field that they setup (Del Sorbo et al 2017 Phys. Rev. A96 043407). We confirm these results by considering a more sophisticated description that integrates over realistic trajectories. The electron dynamics is weakly affected by the variation of power radiated due to the spin polarization. The degree of spin polarization differs by approximately 5% if considering electrons initially at rest or already in a circular orbit. The instability of trajectories at the magnetic node induces a spin precession associated with the electron migration that establishes an upper temporal limit to the polarization of the electron population of about one laser period.