Work

Spin- and polarization-dependent locally-constant-field-approximation rates for nonlinear Compton and Breit-Wheeler processes

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: In this paper we derive and discuss the completely spin- and photon-polarization-dependent probability rates for nonlinear Compton scattering and nonlinear Breit-Wheeler pair production. The locally constant field approximation, which is essential for applications in plasma-QED simulation codes, is rigorously derived from the strong-field QED matrix elements in the Furry picture for a general plane-wave background field. We discuss important polarization correlation effects in the spectra of both processes. Asymptotic limits for both small and large values of $\ensuremath{\chi}$ are derived and their spin and polarization dependence is discussed.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.102.052805

Authors: D. Seipt, B. King

Institutions: Helmholtz Institute Jena, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, University of Michigan, University of Plymouth

Language: English

Topic: Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Awards: Quantum phenomena in high-intensity laser-matter interactions, G6185276363