2025/11/12 by Qian, Q., Seipt, D., Vranic, M. +3
#Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2511.08929
Modern ultra-intense laser facilities can generate electromagnetic fields strong enough to accelerate particles to near-light speeds over micron-scale distances and also approach the QED critical field, resulting in highly nonlinear and relativistic quantum phenomena. For such conditions, ab-initio modeling techniques are required that capture the electromagnetic, relativistic particle, and quantum emission processes in the plasma. One such technique is particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. In this paper, we describe the underlying theory for and development, validation, and verification of an extension to standard QED-PIC in the OSIRIS framework to include spin- and polarization-resolved QED processes central to next-generation laser-plasma experiments. This code can advance the current understanding of spin- and polarization-dependent QED phenomena in ultra-intense laser-plasma interactions.