Vacuum polarization in strong, realistic electric fields
Electron-positron vacuum polarization potentials, accurate to all orders n in (Z$alpha$)/subn/, are calculated using realistic nuclear charge distributions for selected nuclei with 26 less than or equal to Z less than or equal to 114, and for the quasimolecule U-U. We give further details of the numerical methods used in calculations previously reported, and of the improvements which have led to the present increased accuracy. The vacuum polarization potentials are employed to determine muonic energy-level shifts order (Z$alpha$)/subn/ /sup greater-than-or-equal//sup ts//sup 1/$alpha$ for most relevant states with l less than or equal to 6. For the shifts of order (Z$alpha$)/subn/ /sup greater-than-or-equal//sup ts//sup 3/$alpha$, interpolation procedures for all values of Z < 137 and for other exotic particles are noted. Although the effect of finite nuclear size is small for high-lying states approx. 10% reduction of the (Z$alpha$)/subn/ /sup greater-than-or-equal//sup ts//sup 3/ $alpha$ terms in heavy atoms, it yields a reduction by a factor approximately- greater-than 2 for low-lying states. In the case of the quasimolecule U-U, we find that the total vacuum polarization is a minor correction to the dominant Coulomb interaction, with the first-order (Uehling) contribution remaining larger than the higher-order terms. We also present further details of a previous calculation of order (Z$alpha$$)$$sup 2$$alpha$$sup 2$ in muonic lead.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-003982
- OSTI ID:
- 4178487
- Journal Information:
- Phys. Rev., A, v. 12, no. 3, pp. 748-762, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Muonium
& Mesic Atoms & Molecules
N60500 -Physics (Atomic & Molecular)-Atomic Theory
640303* -Physics Research-Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-Positronium
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COULOMB CORRECTION- MOLECULES- URANIUM
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ENERGY LEVELS LEAD- MUONIC ATOMS