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arXiv · 1702.03203

Spin polarization of electrons by ultraintense lasers

D. Del Sorbo·D. Seipt·T. G. Blackburn·A. G. R. Thomas·C. D. Murphy·J. G. Kirk·C. P. Ridgers
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Abstract

In a strong magnetic field, ultra-relativistic electrons or positrons undergo spin flip transitions as they radiate, preferentially spin polarizing in one direction -- the Sokolov-Ternov effect. Here we show that this effect could occur very rapidly (in less than 10 fs) in high intensity ($I\gtrsim10^{23}$ W/cm$^{2}$) laser-matter interactions, resulting in a high degree of electron spin polarization (70%-90%).

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D. Del Sorbo, D. Seipt, T. G. Blackburn, A. G. R. Thomas, C. D. Murphy, J. G. Kirk, C. P. Ridgers. 2017-02-02. Spin polarization of electrons by ultraintense lasers. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.96.043407

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