Abstract: We use quantum electrodynamics particle-in-cell simulation to study the generation of dense electron–positron plasma and strong γ-ray bursts in counter-propagating laser beam interactions with two different solid targets, i.e. planar (type I) and convex (type II). We find that type II limits fast electron flow most effectively. while the photon density is increased by about an order of magnitude and energy by approx. 10%–20% compared with those in type I target. γ-photon source with an ultrahigh peak brilliance of 2 × 10²⁵ photons/s/mm²/mrad²/0.1% BW is generated by nonlinear Compton scattering process. Furthermore, use of type II target increases the positron density and energy by 3 times and 32% respectively, compared with those in type I target. In addition, the conversion efficiencies of total laser energy to γ-rays and positrons of type II are improved by 13.2% and 9.86% compared with type I. Such improvements in conversion efficiency and positron density are envisaged to have practical applications in experimental field.