A Bayesian framework to investigate radiation reaction in strong fields

Recent experiments aiming to measure phenomena predicted by strong-field quantum electrodynamics (SFQED) have done so by colliding relativistic electron beams and high-power lasers. In such experiments, measurements of collision parameters are not always feasible. However, precise knowledge of these parameters is required to accurately test SFQED. Here, we present a novel Bayesian inference procedure that infers collision parameters that could not be measured on-shot. This procedure is applicable to all-optical non-linear Compton scattering experiments investigating radiation reaction. The framework allows multiple diagnostics to be combined self-consistently and facilitates the inclusion of known information pertaining to the collision parameters. Using this Bayesian analysis, the relative validity of the classical, quantum-continuous and quantum-stochastic models of radiation reaction was compared for several test cases, which demonstrates the accuracy and model selection capability of the framework and highlight its robustness if the experimental values of fixed parameters differ from their values in the models.. Authors: Los, Eva E. [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000255450346); Arran, Christopher [University of York (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000286448118); Gerstmayr, Elias [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom); SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States). Photon Ultrafast Laser Science and Engineering Institute (PULSE); Queen's Univ., Belfast, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000311648593); Streeter, Matthew J. V. [Queen's Univ., Belfast, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000190869831); Kettle, Brendan [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)]. DOE Contract: AC02-76SF00515. Subjects: Bayesian inference; high-power laser; radiation reaction; strong-field quantum electrodynamics