2023/01/18 by Valerio Di Giulio, Di Giulio, Valerio, F. Javier Garcı́a de Abajo +1
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Optics (physics.optics) #Other Condensed Matter (cond-mat.other) #Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect #Strong Light-Matter Interactions
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2301.07377
openalex publication_date 2023/01/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/03
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 gamma-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 at the intersection between particle physics and nanophotonics.