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Nanophotonics for pair production

Author

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  • Valerio Di Giulio

    (The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology)

  • F. Javier García de Abajo

    (The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology
    ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats)

Abstract

The transformation of electromagnetic energy into matter represents a fascinating prediction of relativistic quantum electrodynamics that is paradigmatically exemplified by the creation of electron-positron pairs out of light. However, this phenomenon has a very low probability, so positron sources rely instead on beta decay, which demands elaborate monochromatization and trapping schemes to achieve high-quality beams. Here, we propose to use intense, strongly confined optical near fields supported by a nanostructured material in combination with high-energy photons to create electron-positron pairs. Specifically, we show that the interaction between near-threshold γ-rays and polaritons yields higher pair-production cross sections, largely exceeding those associated with free-space photons. Our work opens an unexplored avenue toward generating tunable pulsed positrons from nanoscale regions at the intersection between particle physics and nanophotonics.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerio Di Giulio & F. Javier García de Abajo, 2023. "Nanophotonics for pair production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43701-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43701-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Armin Feist & Katharina E. Echternkamp & Jakob Schauss & Sergey V. Yalunin & Sascha Schäfer & Claus Ropers, 2015. "Quantum coherent optical phase modulation in an ultrafast transmission electron microscope," Nature, Nature, vol. 521(7551), pages 200-203, May.
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