Related papers: Strong-field control of x-ray absorption
The interaction of relativistically intense lasers with opaque targets represents a highly non-linear, multi-dimensional parameter space. This limits the utility of sequential 1D scanning of experimental parameters for the optimisation of…
A short, tutorial introduction to some basic concepts of laser-plasma interactions at ultra-high intensities is given. The selected topics include a) elements of the relativistic dynamics of an electron in electromagnetic fields, including…
We construct 3-D solutions of Maxwell's equations that describe Gaussian light beams focused by a strong lens. We investigate the interaction of such beams with single atoms in free space and the interplay between angular and quantum…
We present a numerical method for investigating the non-perturbative quantum mechanical interaction of light with atoms in two dimensions, without a basis expansion. This enables us to investigate intense laser-atom interactions with light…
Astronomy is by nature a visual science. The high quality imagery produced by the world's observatories can be a key to effectively engaging with the public and helping to inspire the next generation of scientists. Creating compelling…
Control over optical spatial coherence is a key requirement in diverse applications including imaging, optical trapping, and communications. Current approaches to controlling spatial coherence are constrained by speed or limited to a single…
The effect of intense X-ray laser interaction on argon clusters is studied theoretically with a mixed quantum/classical approach. In comparison to a single atom we find that ionization of the cluster is suppressed, which is in striking…
In studies of interaction of matter with laser fields of extreme intensity there are two limiting cases of a multi-beam setup maximizing either the electric field or the magnetic field. In this work attention is paid to the optimal…
The interaction of chirped femtosecond laser pulses with hybrid materials - materials comprised of plasmon sustaining structures and resonant molecules - is scrutinized using a self-consistent model of coupled Maxwell-Bloch equations. The…
Ultra-strong laser pulses can be so intense that an electron in the focused beam loses significant energy due to gamma-photon emission while its motion deviates via the radiation back-reaction. Numerical methods and tools designed to…
The impact of a laser field on the process of photon radiation by an ultra-relativistic electron in an atomic field is investigated. The angular distribution and the spectrum of the radiated photon are derived. By means of the…
This white paper is motivated by open questions in star formation, which can be uniquely addressed by high resolution X-ray imaging and require an X-ray observatory with large collecting area along good spectral resolution. A complete…
The new regime of resonant nuclear photoexcitation rendered possible by x-ray free electron laser beams interacting with solid state targets is investigated theoretically. Our results unexpectedly show that secondary processes coupling…
Superradiance can cause the axion cloud around a rotating black hole to reach extremely high densities, and the decay of these axions can produce a powerful laser. The electric field of these lasers is strong enough that the Schwinger…
Despite numerous achievements and recent progress, nuclear physics is often (wrongly) considered an old field of research nowadays. However, developments in theoretical frameworks and reliable experimental techniques have made the field…
The coupling of laser light to matter can exert sub-cycle coherent control over material properties, with optically induced currents and magnetism shown to be controllable on ultrafast femtosecond time scales. Here, by employing laser light…
Grazing-incidence X-ray optics have revolutionized X-ray astrophysics. The ability to concentrate flux to a tiny detection region provides a dramatic reduction in background and a consequent very large improvement in sensitivity. The X-ray…
Electrons colliding with spatially fixed ions in strong laser fields are investigated by solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. Considering first simple one-dimensional model systems, the mechanisms and energy spectra of fast…
The possibility for controlling the probe-field optical gain and absorption switching and photon conversion by a surface-plasmon-polariton near field is explored for a quantum dot above the surface of a metal. In contrast to the linear…
Coherent control of a system involves steering an interaction to a final coherent state by controlling the phase of an applied field. Plasmas support coherent wave structures that can be generated by intense laser fields. Here, we…