Reaction rates in a relativistic plasma

Journal Article · Wed Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1976 · Physical Review, A (General Physics)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.13.1563· OSTI ID:4063353

Weaver, Thomas A.

A general theory of two-body reaction rates in a relativistic plasma is developed. The most notable results of this theory are exact expressions for total rates involving only a single integral over the cross section for the usual case of relativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann or Bose-Einstein momentum distributions. This simplification arises from the fact that in the relativistic as well as the nonrelativistic case, an effective combined-particle distribution function can be found analytically. These results are applied to calculate the rates for radiative Compton scattering, photon-photon pair creation, and pion production in proton-proton collisions.

• Research Organization: University of California Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-028713
• OSTI ID: 4063353
• Journal Information: Physical Review, A (General Physics), Journal Name: Physical Review, A (General Physics) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 13; ISSN PLRAAN; ISSN 0556-2791
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*RELATIVISTIC PLASMA-- REACTION KINETICS
700105* --Fusion Energy--Plasma Research--Plasma Kinetics-- Theoretical
BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
BOSE- EINSTEIN STATISTICS
COMPTON EFFECT
CROSS SECTIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
N70500* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research-- Kinetics (Theoretical)
PAIR PRODUCTION
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
PHOTON-PHOTON INTERACTIONS
PIONS
PROTON-PROTON INTERACTIONS