Creation of electrons and positrons from light alone is a basic prediction of quantum electrodynamics, but yet to be observed. Our simulations show that the required conditions are achievable using a high-intensity two-beam laser facility and an advanced target design. Dual laser irradiation of a structured target produces high-density γ rays that then create > 10⁸ positrons at intensities of 2 × 10²² Wcm⁻². The unique feature of this setup is that the pair creation is primarily driven by the linear Breit-Wheeler process (γγ → e⁺e⁻), which dominates over the nonlinear Breit-Wheeler and Bethe-Heitler processes. The favorable scaling with laser intensity of the linear process prompts reconsideration of its neglect in simulation studies and also permits positron jet formation at experimentally feasible intensities. Simulations show that the positrons, confined by a quasistatic plasma magnetic field, may be accelerated by the lasers to energies >200 MeV.

仅从光中产生电子和正电子是量子电动力学的基本预测，但仍有待观察。我们的模拟表明，使用高强度两束激光设备和先进的目标设计可以实现所需的条件。结构化目标的双激光照射产生高密度γ射线，然后以2×10 ²²  Wcm ^{-2 的}强度产生> 10 ^{8 个}正电子。这种设置的独特特征是，对创建主要由线性半夏轮车过程驱动（γ γ  →交通 ë ⁺ ë ^-)，它在非线性 Breit-Wheeler 和 Bethe-Heitler 过程中占主导地位。线性过程的激光强度有利的缩放促使重新考虑其在模拟研究中的忽视，并且还允许在实验上可行的强度下形成正电子射流。模拟表明，受准静态等离子体磁场限制的正电子可能会被激光加速到能量 > 200 MeV。