The Lagrangian formulation of strong-field quantum electrodynamics in a plasma

Journal Article · Thu May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4875742· OSTI ID:22252811

Raicher, Erez ^[1]; Eliezer, Shalom ^[2]; Zigler, Arie ^[1]

---

1. Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904 (Israel)
2. Department of Applied Physics, Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Yavne 81800 (Israel)

The Lagrangian formulation of the scalar and spinor quantum electrodynamics in the presence of strong laser fields in a plasma medium is considered. We include the plasma influence in the free Lagrangian analogously to the “Furry picture” and obtain coupled equations of motion for the plasma particles and for the laser propagation. We demonstrate that the strong-field wave (i.e., the laser) satisfies a massive dispersion relation and obtain self-consistently the effective mass of the laser photons. The Lagrangian formulation derived in this paper is the basis for the cross sections calculation of quantum processes taking place in the presence of a plasma.

• OSTI ID: 22252811
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 21, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CROSS SECTIONS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
EFFECTIVE MASS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
LASER RADIATION
PLASMA
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS