Particle dynamics and spatial $e^-e^+$ density structures at QED cascading in circularly polarized standing waves

Abstract

We present a comprehensive analysis of longitudinal particle drifting in a standing circularly polarized wave at extreme intensities when quantum radiation reaction (RR) effects should be accounted for. To get an insight into the physics of this phenomenon we made a comparative study considering the RR force in the Landau-Lifshitz or quantum-corrected form, including the case of photon emission stochasticity. It is shown that the cases of circular and linear polarization are qualitatively different. Moreover, specific features of particle dynamics have a strong impact on spatial structures of the electron-positron ($e^-e^+$) density created in vacuum through quantum electrodynamic (QED) cascades in counter-propagating laser pulses. 3D PIC modeling accounting for QED effects confirms realization of different pair plasma structures.