Vacuum pair-production in a classical electric field and an electromagnetic wave
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin (Germany)
- ICRANeT Piazzale della Repubblica, 10-65122, Pescara (Italy)
Using semiclassical WKB-methods, we calculate the rate of electron–positron pair-production from the vacuum in the presence of two external fields, a strong (space- or time-dependent) classical field and a monochromatic electromagnetic wave. We discuss the possible medium effects on the rate in the presence of thermal electrons, bosons, and neutral plasma of electrons and protons at a given temperature and chemical potential. Using our rate formula, we calculate the rate enhancement due to a laser beam, and discuss the possibility that a significant enhancement may appear in a plasma of electrons and protons with self-focusing properties. -- Highlights: •The electron–positron pair-production rate in an electric field and an electromagnetic wave. •The pair-production rate enhanced by the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave. •Its application for the superposition of the static electric field and laser beams. •Medium effects on the pair-production rate. •The enhancement of the pair-production rate by the self-focusing property of laser beams.
- OSTI ID:
- 22220728
- Journal Information:
- Annals of Physics (New York), Vol. 333; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-4916
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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