Volkov solutions for relativistic quantum plasmas

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVE.83.026406· OSTI ID:21560035

Mendonca, J T; Serbeto, A ^[1]

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1. IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, 1049-001 Lisboa (Portugal)

This work studies the electron quantum states, as determined by the Dirac equation, in the field of electrostatic and electromagnetic waves in a plasma. We discuss the main differences with respect to the vacuum case, and the assumptions under which the vacuum Volkov solutions can be adapted to a plasma. The case of ultrashort electromagnetic wave pulses is also discussed. We also consider the electron states in the field of an electron plasma wave. Modified Volkov solutions of the Dirac equation can also be found. For electron plasma waves such that the phase velocity becomes close to the speed of light, these solutions are exact. Finally, we consider electron states in the field of two waves in a plasma, with relevance to the mixed case where one of the waves is electrostatic and the other is electromagnetic.

• OSTI ID: 21560035
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print), Vol. 83, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.83.026406; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 1539-3755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DIRAC EQUATION
ELECTRON PLASMA WAVES
ELECTRONS
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
PHASE VELOCITY
PULSES
QUANTUM PLASMA
QUANTUM STATES
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
VISIBLE RADIATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
FIELD EQUATIONS
LEPTONS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
VELOCITY
WAVE EQUATIONS