Collimated and neutral electron-positron plasmas in the laboratory
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Abstract
An electron-positron pair plasma (EPP) is a unique state of matter that presents an exact symmetry between its negatively charged (electrons) and positively charged (positrons) constituents. Despite being virtually absent on Earth, it is believed to be a rather common occurrence in the Universe and it is thought to represent the main constituent of the atmosphere of immense astrophysical objects such as black holes, quasars, and pulsars. There is general consensus in the astrophysical community that EPPs are likely candidates for being the main ingredient of some of the most powerful emissions of matter from these objects, in the form of collimated jets, which are ultimately associated with the emission of ultra-bright and short-lived gamma-ray bursts. These astrophysical objects are exceptional natural laboratories to test physics at its limits and, due to their immense distance from Earth (some exceeding a billion light years), they provide a unique window on the primordial stages of our Universe.
Despite their fascinating role in a wide range of fundamental physical scenarios, EPPs are poorly understood due to the extreme difficulty in generating them in the laboratory. All our knowledge of this peculiar state of matter relies exclusively on astrophysical observations and their theoretical interpretation. However, astrophysical measurements are intrinsically limited and it is virtually impossible to access the microphysics of these objects due to their immense distance from Earth. Laboratory experiments would greatly advance our knowledge of this state of matter and only recently the Principal Investigator and his collaborators have succeeded in producing a neutral electron-positron plasma in the laboratory.
We propose here to continue this line of exciting experimental research by performing a series of experiments using the HERCULES laser hosted by the Centre for Ultrafast Optical Sciences (CUOS) at the University of Michigan, US. In particular, we plan to improve the quality of laser-generated EPPs by minimising their divergence and therefore significantly extend their propagation distance in controlled background electron-ion plasmas. The successful generation of a collimated and neutral EPP will allow, for the first time, for the study of EPP dynamics in background electron-ion plasmas in conditions of relevance to the propagation of astrophysical jets in the intergalactic medium. This preliminary work will not only be of interest in its own right but it will also serve as the basis for obtaining more extended grant funding on this newly developing area of experimental research.
Despite their fascinating role in a wide range of fundamental physical scenarios, EPPs are poorly understood due to the extreme difficulty in generating them in the laboratory. All our knowledge of this peculiar state of matter relies exclusively on astrophysical observations and their theoretical interpretation. However, astrophysical measurements are intrinsically limited and it is virtually impossible to access the microphysics of these objects due to their immense distance from Earth. Laboratory experiments would greatly advance our knowledge of this state of matter and only recently the Principal Investigator and his collaborators have succeeded in producing a neutral electron-positron plasma in the laboratory.
We propose here to continue this line of exciting experimental research by performing a series of experiments using the HERCULES laser hosted by the Centre for Ultrafast Optical Sciences (CUOS) at the University of Michigan, US. In particular, we plan to improve the quality of laser-generated EPPs by minimising their divergence and therefore significantly extend their propagation distance in controlled background electron-ion plasmas. The successful generation of a collimated and neutral EPP will allow, for the first time, for the study of EPP dynamics in background electron-ion plasmas in conditions of relevance to the propagation of astrophysical jets in the intergalactic medium. This preliminary work will not only be of interest in its own right but it will also serve as the basis for obtaining more extended grant funding on this newly developing area of experimental research.
Planned Impact
The results of the proposed research will be greatly beneficial for the plasma physics community as well as the astrophysical community. In both cases, it is envisaged that the generation of collimated and neutral electron-positron beams will attract great interest from both the more experimentally and theoretically minded academics. For the former, it would represent a precious tool for the detailed study of pair plasmas in the laboratory, whereas for the latter it would represent an unmatched opportunity for benchmarking numerical calculations and validating theoretical models routinely used in the interpretation of astrophysical observations.
When successful, the proposed research will pave the way for a new branch of experimental physics, namely the laboratory study of electron-positron plasmas and the laboratory small-scale reproduction of astrophysical jets.
Moreover, we envisage that the achievement of the proposal's objectives is likely to fascinate the layman as well. Great interest has already been generated around the preliminary results obtained by the Principal Investigator and his collaborators, as demonstrated by dedicated media coverage in popular science magazines (such as the New Scientist) and websites (such as Physics World, The Conversation UK, and IFL Science). A dedicated article on the work of the Principal Investigator in this area has already been read by more than 120,000 people, placing it to be the 6th most read article in The Conversation of all times. The generation of a small-scale astrophysical jet in the laboratory is likely to attract similar popular interest, boosting the perception of science in the UK.
When successful, the proposed research will pave the way for a new branch of experimental physics, namely the laboratory study of electron-positron plasmas and the laboratory small-scale reproduction of astrophysical jets.
Moreover, we envisage that the achievement of the proposal's objectives is likely to fascinate the layman as well. Great interest has already been generated around the preliminary results obtained by the Principal Investigator and his collaborators, as demonstrated by dedicated media coverage in popular science magazines (such as the New Scientist) and websites (such as Physics World, The Conversation UK, and IFL Science). A dedicated article on the work of the Principal Investigator in this area has already been read by more than 120,000 people, placing it to be the 6th most read article in The Conversation of all times. The generation of a small-scale astrophysical jet in the laboratory is likely to attract similar popular interest, boosting the perception of science in the UK.
Organisations
- Queen's University Belfast (Lead Research Organisation)
- Max Planck Society (Collaboration)
- University of Lisbon (Collaboration)
- University of Michigan (Collaboration)
- Australian National University (ANU) (Collaboration)
- Thai-German Institute (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF YORK (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Project Partner)
Publications
Dieckmann M
(2016)
Particle-in-cell simulation study of a lower-hybrid shock
Sarri G
(2017)
Spectral and spatial characterisation of laser-driven positron beams
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Dieckmann M
(2018)
Electrostatic shock waves in the laboratory and astrophysics: similarities and differences
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Dieckmann M
(2016)
Particle-in-cell simulation study of a lower-hybrid shock
in Physics of Plasmas
Warwick J
(2017)
Experimental Observation of a Current-Driven Instability in a Neutral Electron-Positron Beam.
in Physical review letters
Warwick J
(2018)
General features of experiments on the dynamics of laser-driven electron-positron beams
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Turcu I
(2019)
Quantum electrodynamics experiments with colliding petawatt laser pulses
in High Power Laser Science and Engineering
Description | We have made significant progress and already produced high-quality experimental and theoretical results that are published in high-profile scientific journals. Ongoing collaborations/experiments stemming from these results |
Exploitation Route | Academic impact, progress in understanding of physics |
Sectors | Energy,Environment,Other |
Description | Work carried out during this project formed the basis for a follow-up EPSRC-funded project (EP/V044397/1) specifically focussed on delivering the first prototype of an advanced system for material testing. An ongoing collaboration with Rolls Royce and UKRI is looking at translating this prototype technology into a commercially available product. Direct impact of this work is expected to materialise within the next couple of years. |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Construction |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | EPSRC platform grant |
Amount | £1,389,644 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P010059/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | I-CASE PhD studentship co-funded by EPSRC and DSTL (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) |
Amount | £87,696 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Ultra-short and tuneable positron beams for high-resolution and volumetric inspection of materials |
Amount | £199,984 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V044397/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | EuPRAXIA collaboration |
Organisation | Thai-German Institute |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
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 submission to ESFRI |
Collaborator Contribution | publication of the Conceptual Design Report for the machine (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjst/e2020-000127-8) and submission to ESFRI |
Impact | publication of the Conceptual Design Report for the machine (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjst/e2020-000127-8) and submission to ESFRI |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Experimental work: HERCULES |
Organisation | Australian National University (ANU) |
Department | Department of Nuclear Physics |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | collaborative experiments |
Collaborator Contribution | collaborative experiments including the use of their laser laboratory: HERCULES |
Impact | publication of high profile articles in world-leading journals. |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | ICL collaboration |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | collaborative experiments |
Collaborator Contribution | collaborative experiments |
Impact | publication of high profile articles in world-leading journals |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | QED experiments |
Organisation | University of Michigan |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaborative experiments |
Collaborator Contribution | Use of their laser system: HERCULES |
Impact | DOIs: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.255002 10.1088/0741-3335/55/12/124017 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.224801 10.1038/ncomms7747 10.1063/1.4875336 |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | QED experiments: plasma modelling |
Organisation | University of Lisbon |
Department | Instituto Superior Tecnico |
Country | Portugal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | experimental contribution |
Collaborator Contribution | theoretical contribution |
Impact | 10.1038/ncomms7747 |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Theoretical support |
Organisation | Max Planck Society |
Department | Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | carry out experiments in the area |
Collaborator Contribution | theoretical support and data interpretation |
Impact | Publication of high profile articles in international scientific papers. Further funding stemmed out of this collaboration. Invitation to international conferences |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | theoretical support: QED numerical |
Organisation | University of York |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Experimental work on high-intensity laser-matter interactions for validating numerical models |
Collaborator Contribution | Numerical modelling of experiments on high-intensity laser-matter interactions |
Impact | Ongoing experiments: no publications as yet |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | ABC |
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 | live interview with ABC Australia |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | BBC |
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 | live interview with BBC radio 5 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Interview for the French magazine La Recherche |
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 the French magazine La Recherche |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofMathematicsandPhysics/News/FrenchscientificmagazineLaRecherche... |
Description | New Scientist article |
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 | Popular science article on my research published in the magazine New Scientist |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23631530-400-how-a-fiery-matterantimatter-union-may-lead-to-l... |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Article published in the New Scientist |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.newscientist.com/article/2241333-the-us-navy-patented-a-device-to-make-laser-ghost-plane... |
Description | popular science articles |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 5 popular science articles in the "Conversation" website: more than 900000 readers online |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/profiles/gianluca-sarri-169569/articles |
Description | popular science in the Guardian |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Popular science article in "The Guardian" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2015/dec/11/how-to-build-a-real-lightsaber |