Properties of finite amplitude electromagnetic waves propagating in the quantum vacuum

0522055 - FZÚ 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Kadlecová, Hedvika - Bulanov, Sergey V. - Korn, Georg
Properties of finite amplitude electromagnetic waves propagating in the quantum vacuum.
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. Roč. 61, č. 8 (2019), s. 1-10, č. článku 084002. ISSN 0741-3335. E-ISSN 1361-6587
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT EF15_003/0000449
Grant - others:OP VVV - HiFi(XE) CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/0000449
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : photon-photon * pair production * laser-pulse * quantum electrodynamics * photon-photon scattering * nonlinear waves * photon-photon * pair production * laser-pulse * generation * birefringence * polarization
OECD category: Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)
Impact factor: 2.829, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/ab21fb

We study two counter-propagating electromagnetic waves in the vacuum within the framework of the Heisenberg-Euler formalism in quantum electrodynamics. We show that the nonlinear field equations decouple for ordinary wave case and can be solved exactly. We solve the nonlinear field equations assuming the solution in a form of a Riemann wave. We discuss the properties of the nonlinear electromagnetic wave propagating in the quantum vacuum, such as the wave steepening, subsequent generation of high order harmonics and electromagnetic shock wave formation with electron-positron pair generation at the shock wave front.

Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0306566