Photon emission by bremsstrahlung and nonlinear Compton scattering in the interaction of ultraintense laser with plasmas

A Monte Carlo algorithm describing the bremsstrahlung of energetic electrons is implemented into a particle-in-cell code, and used for studies of laser plasma interactions. The simulations are performed for laser pulses of different intensities interacting with low- Z or high- Z targets. The relative strength of photon emission from bremsstrahlung and nonlinear Compton scattering is compared. The nonlinear Compton scattering dominates at ultra-high intensities ( I ≥ 10 22 W / cm 2 ) and thin high Z targets, while the bremsstrahlung emission makes a comparable contribution at lower laser intensities. Graphical abstract