Accelerating Plasma Mirrors to Investigate Black Hole Information Loss Paradox

The question of whether Hawking evaporation violates unitarity, and therefore results in the loss of information, remains unresolved since Hawking's seminal discovery. So far the investigations remain mostly theoretical since it is almost impossible to settle this paradox through direct astrophysical black hole observations. Here we point out that relativistic plasma mirrors can be accelerated drastically and stopped abruptly by impinging ultra intense x-ray pulses on solid plasma targets with a density gradient. This is analogous to the late time evolution of black hole Hawking evaporation. A conception of such an experiment is proposed and a self-consistent set of physical parameters is presented. Critical issues such as black hole unitarity may be addressed through the measurement of the entanglement between the Hawking radiation and their partner modes.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Probing the quantum vacuum with ultra intense laser pulses

This article presents: 1) The theoretical background of strong field physics and vacuum structure and stability; 2) The instrumental developments in the area of pulse lasers and considers the physics case for ultra intense laser facilities; and 3) Discussion of the applied and fundamental uses of ultra-intense lasers.Comment: Contribution in Special Topics issue for IZEST, 12 pages incl 1 figure. Contains extended citation list compared to published versio

Superstrong field science

Over the past fifteen years we have seen a surge in our ability to produce high intensities, five to six orders of magnitude higher than was possible before. At these intensities, particles, electrons and protons, acquire kinetic energy in the mega-electron-volt range through interaction with intense laser fields. This opens a new age for the laser, the age of nonlinear relativistic optics coupling even with nuclear physics. We suggest a path to reach an extremely high-intensity level 1026–28 W/cm21026–28W/cm2 in the coming decade, much beyond the current and near future intensity regime 1023 W/cm2,1023W/cm2, taking advantage of the megajoule laser facilities. Such a laser at extreme high intensity could accelerate particles to frontiers of high energy, tera-electron-volt and peta-electron-volt, and would become a tool of fundamental physics encompassing particle physics, gravitational physics, nonlinear field theory, ultrahigh-pressure physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Such a laser intensity may also be very beneficial to an alternative, more direct approach of fast ignition in laser fusion. We suggest a new possibility to explore this. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87922/2/423_1.pd

FORUM on superstrong fields and high energy physics

© 2002 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87923/2/459_1.pd

Radiation back-reaction in relativistically strong and QED-strong laser fields

The emission from an electron in the field of a relativistically strong laser pulse is analyzed. At the pulse intensities of \ge 10^{22} W/cm^2 the emission from counter-propagating electrons is modified by the effects of Quantum ElectroDynamics (QED), as long as the electron energy is sufficiently high: E \ge 1 GeV. The radiation force experienced by an electron is for the first time derived from the QED principles and its applicability range is extended towards the QED-strong fields.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Ultrahigh intensity laser for laser wakefield acceleration

The next generation of high peak power CPA laser systems will be improved in compactness, simplicity, and cost. Yb:glass is a suitable choice for the amplifier medium in such a laser system necessary for an all-optical GeV accelerator. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87564/2/68_1.pd

1.4 ps rise‐time high‐voltage photoconductive switching

We report on the generation of 825 V electrical pulses with 1.4 ps rise time and 4.0 ps duration using a pulse‐biased low‐temperature‐grown GaAs photoconductive switch triggered by an amplified femtosecond dye laser. Dependence of the pulse shape on both electric field and optical energy is observed and discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70925/2/APPLAB-59-12-1455-1.pd

Subpicosecond photoresponse of carriers in low‐temperature molecular beam epitaxial In0.52Al0.48As/InP

Femtosecond time‐resolved reflectivity and photoconductive switching measurements have been made of In0.52Al0.48As grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (100) InP substrates at growth temperatures ranging from 150 to 480 °C. A response/switching time of ∼400 fs is measured in the sample grown at 150 °C. Temperature‐dependent measurements shed light on the nature of the material producing the ultrafast response.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71065/2/APPLAB-57-15-1543-1.pd

Optical properties of high‐quality InGaAs/InAlAs multiple quantum wells

We have measured the narrowest half‐width at half‐maximum photoluminescence linewidth of 2.8 meV, in 40‐period lattice‐matched In0.53Ga0.47As/In0.52Al0.48As multiple quantum wells, grown by molecular‐beam epitaxy with growth interruption. A simple analysis of the linewidth suggests that the structure has near perfect interfaces. Temperature‐dependent photoluminescence linewidth data indicate impurity incorporation due to the growth interruption. However, the high quality of the multiple quantum well is not impaired as is seen in the room‐temperature absorption data, where excitonic features up to n=3 sublevel are clearly seen. Carrier lifetime in this multiple‐quantum‐well system has been measured, we believe for the first time, using the picosecond photoluminescence correlation technique. A lifetime of 860 ps is obtained, which is similar to the value obtained for high‐quality GaAs/AlGaAs and In0.53Ga0.47As/InP quantum wells. This further confirms the high quality obtained in this ternary material system using growth interruption.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70406/2/JAPIAU-69-5-3219-1.pd