Exploring the quantum vacuum via ultraintense laser-induced refraction of light

Abstract

Abstract The rapid progress of ultraintense laser technology provides a novel route to explore the quantum vacuum effect in the laboratory. Here, we propose using oblique collisions between an ultraintense pump laser and an x-ray probe laser to experimentally identify the quantum vacuum effect, where the change of the refraction properties including the refraction angle of the probe laser is taken as a detectable signature. The theoretical basis of the proposed scheme are analyzed in details, where a reasonable estimation of the scheme is given. To verify the proposed scheme, a series of two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, with the vacuum polarization effect self-consistently taken into account, are carried out.