Hard X-ray generation and particle production <e1>via</e1> the relativistic-intensity laser pulse interaction with a solid target

This paper considers various channels of electron–positron pair, neutron, and γ-quantum generation <e1>via</e1> the ultrashort high-power laser pulse interaction with targets made from different materials. The positron yields in materials with different <e1>Z</e1> are estimated for the positron production by high-speed electrons and γ-photons. It is shown that a picosecond 100-TW laser pulse gives rise to formation of about 10¹⁰ positrons, possible channels of the neutron production in light- and heavy-atom materials being studied as well. It is ascertained that the formation of up to 10⁷ laser neutrons per shot is possible when the laser intensity is ~10²¹ W/cm² on a heavy-atom target.