The new intensity frontier: exploring quantum electrodynamic plasmas
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
- Queen's University Belfast (Lead Research Organisation)
- Deutsches Electronen-Synchrotron (DESY) (Collaboration)
- ELI Beamlines (Collaboration)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK (Collaboration)
- University of Strathclyde (Collaboration)
Publications
Avoni G
(2024)
Development of a sapphire microstrip detector for gamma beam monitoring
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Calvin L
(2023)
Laser-driven muon production for material inspection and imaging
in Frontiers in Physics
Cavanagh N
(2023)
Experimental characterization of a single-shot spectrometer for high-flux, GeV-scale gamma-ray beams
in Physical Review Research
Fleck K
(2022)
Instrumentation challenges of the strong-field QED experiment LUXE at the European XFEL*
in Journal of Instrumentation
Fleck K
(2024)
Dependence of the number-weighted angular distribution of Compton-scattered photon beams on the laser intensity
in Physical Review A
Magnusson J
(2023)
Effect of electron-beam energy chirp on signatures of radiation reaction in laser-based experiments
in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams
McAnespie CA
(2024)
Response of Cancer Stem Cells and Human Skin Fibroblasts to Picosecond-Scale Electron Irradiation at 1010 to 1011 Gy/s.
in International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
| Description | While the grant is still ongoing, we have already obtained key and novel results in the exploration of the physics involved in ultra-high field laser-matter interactions. These include bounding the elastic photon-photon cross section (article published) and the first experimental observation of quantum radiation reaction (manuscript submitted). The results obtained are also forming the basis for large-scale international funding applications to build novel experimental capability at European facilities (Eu.XFEL and Extreme Light Infrastructure) to carry out unique and disruptive experiments at the high-intensity frontier, accessing uncharted territory in quantum electrodynamics. |
| Exploitation Route | We have obtained first experimental evidence of key fundamental phenomena in physics, which will inform the development of fundamental physics theories and will help understanding key phenomena in a range of physics disciplines, including astrophysics and plasma physics. Also, our work is pivotal for the correct development and use of the next generation of ultra-high power laser facilities, both in the UK (EPAC) and in Europe (e.g., ELI and EuPRAXIA) The results obtained are also forming the basis for large-scale international funding applications to build novel experimental capability at European facilities (Eu.XFEL and Extreme Light Infrastructure) to carry out unique and disruptive experiments at the high-intensity frontier, accessing uncharted territory in quantum electrodynamics. |
| Sectors | Education Energy Other |
| Description | The results obtained are also forming the basis for large-scale international funding applications to build novel experimental capability at European facilities (Eu.XFEL and Extreme Light Infrastructure) to carry out unique and disruptive experiments at the high-intensity frontier, accessing uncharted territory in quantum electrodynamics. Our results have also significantly contributed to securing a substantial grant from EPSRC ("high-repetition rate, high-power laser for advanced applications", grant Ref: EP/Z533324/1) to build a laser facility at Queen's University Belfast to be operated as a facility for external users from academic institutions, research institutions (e.g., NPL,DSTL, and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) and private sector (e.g., Andor Technologies, Camlin Group, and General Atomics). The facility will represent a strategic technology hub of national importance at Queen's University Belfast. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Education,Energy,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | Member of the scientific committee for the Ex-HILP conference |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Member of the scientific committee for the international conference ULTRAfastX |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics: LUXE |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics: Strong-Field Quantum Electrodynamics |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | User representative for Laser4EU European consortium |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | co-Editor for the Vulcan2020 science case |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Science case for an upcoming national facility open to users in industry, governmental research institutions, and universities |
| Description | member of the scientific advisory committee for EuAPS |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | member of the scientific advisory committee for the Extreme Light Infrastructure - BeamLines |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | member of the scientific committee for the EAAC conference 2023 |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | member of the scientific committee for the Ex-HILP conference 2023 |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | preparation of the update of the European strategy for particle physics |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | plan to detail the funding routes for Europe in particle physics and identify facilities and access routes for both academic and private sector users |
| Description | Design and implementation of a Compton-scattering source at ELI-BL |
| Amount | £60,301 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Extreme Light Infrastructure Beamlines |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 04/2025 |
| Description | Design and testing of the positron and Compton beamlines for EPAC |
| Amount | £63,748 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | high-repetition rate, high-power laser for advanced applications |
| Amount | £2,566,179 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/Z533324/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2024 |
| End | 09/2027 |
| Title | Experimental characterization of a single-shot spectrometer for high-flux, GeV-scale gamma-ray beams -- associated data |
| Description | Supplementary experimental data for the results presented in the paper "Experimental characterization of a single-shot spectrometer for high-flux, GeV-scale gamma-ray beams", collected, processed and analysed by the research group within the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen's University Belfast. Article located at DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.00.003000 Electron and positron data over 8 nominal shots are provided as: background corrected spatial lineouts (in mm) derived energy spectra (in GeV) Also included are binned energy spectra for electrons and positrons, as well as the deconvolved photon spectra. Data is presented in the format of compressed Python numpy (.npz) files. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://zenodo.org/record/8381394 |
| Title | Experimental characterization of a single-shot spectrometer for high-flux, GeV-scale gamma-ray beams -- associated data |
| Description | Supplementary experimental data for the results presented in the paper "Experimental characterization of a single-shot spectrometer for high-flux, GeV-scale gamma-ray beams", collected, processed and analysed by the research group within the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen's University Belfast. Article located at DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.00.003000 Electron and positron data over 8 nominal shots are provided as: background corrected spatial lineouts (in mm) derived energy spectra (in GeV) Also included are binned energy spectra for electrons and positrons, as well as the deconvolved photon spectra. Data is presented in the format of compressed Python numpy (.npz) files. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://zenodo.org/record/8381393 |
| Description | DESY: novel plasma accelerators |
| Organisation | Deutsches Electronen-Synchrotron (DESY) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Currently collaborating on joint experiments (some published) and within the EuPRAXIA consortium for the next-generation of compact particle accelerators |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative experiments |
| Impact | publications and on-going preparation of european large-scale funding proposals |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | ELI-Beamlines: collaborative experiments |
| Organisation | ELI Beamlines |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | ELI-Beamlines is project partners in a recently awarded EPSRC grant (EP/V049186/1 with related proposal: EP/V049461/1). Collaborative experiments currently being designed |
| Collaborator Contribution | ELI-Beamlines is project partners in a recently awarded EPSRC grant (EP/V049186/1 with related proposal: EP/V049461/1). Collaborative experiments currently being designed |
| Impact | ELI-Beamlines is project partners in a recently awarded EPSRC grant (EP/V049186/1 with related proposal: EP/V049461/1). Collaborative experiments currently being designed |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | EuPRAXIA collaboration |
| Organisation | Deutsches Electronen-Synchrotron (DESY) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | International collaboration for the EuPRAXIA project formalised by Consortium Agreement. It has already resulted in the publication of the Conceptual Design Report for the machine (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjst/e2020-000127-8) and inclusion in the ESFRI roadmap |
| Collaborator Contribution | publication of the Conceptual Design Report for the machine (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjst/e2020-000127-8) and inclusion in the ESFRI roadmap |
| Impact | publication of the Conceptual Design Report for the machine (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjst/e2020-000127-8) and inclusion in the ESFRI roadmap |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Jena: collaborative QED experiments |
| Organisation | Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | collaborative experiments in strong-field QED and award of a multi-million grant for experimental campaigns at SLAC |
| Collaborator Contribution | collaborative experiments in strong-field QED and award of a multi-million grant for experimental campaigns at SLAC |
| Impact | joint publications in strong-field QED and award of a multi-million grant for experimental campaigns at SLAC |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Strathclyde university: collaborative experiments |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Department | Faculty of Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaborative experiments and publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | Joint publications |
| Impact | Joint publications and preparation of multi-million european grant within the EuPRAXIA consortium |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | collaboration with University of York |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | collaborative work under funded by EP/V049186/1 |
| Collaborator Contribution | collaborative work under funded by EP/V049186/1 |
| Impact | several publications (listed in EP/V049186/1) and collaborative experiments at national and international facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | contracted collaboration with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Department | Central Laser Facility |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | design and implementation of a positron beamline and a Compton-scattered photon beamline for the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Direct contribution to fund a PDRA and collaborative scientific work |
| Impact | contract for 1 year for an overall value of £ 63,748 |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Article in the Wall Street Journal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Article in the Wall Street Journal |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Interview for New Scientist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview for New Scientist (published here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2308243-deepmind-uses-ai-to-control-plasma-inside-tokamak-fusion-reactor/) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Invited seminar at Imperial College London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited seminar at Imperial College London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Invited seminar at Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, China) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited seminar at Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, China) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Live interview with Al Jazeera News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Live interview with Al Jazeera News |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Live interview with BBC Radio Foyle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Live interview with BBC Radio Foyle |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Live interview with BBC Radio Ulster |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Live interview with BBC Radio Ulster |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | interview for international news |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview for an article published in the magazine POLITICO |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/12/nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-doe-00073518 |
| Description | live interview with BBC News Hour |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Live interview with BBC Radio Foyle |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | popular science article in the New Scientist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | popular science article in the New Scientist |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |