SearcharxivSearch

arXiv · 1209.2394

Breit-Wheeler Process in Intense Short Laser Pulses

Abstract

Energy-angular distributions of electron-positron pair creation in collisions of a laser beam and a nonlaser photon are calculated using the $S$-matrix formalism. The laser field is modeled as a finite pulse, similar to the formulation introduced in our recent paper in the context of Compton scattering [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 85}, 062102 (2012)]. The nonperturbative regime of pair creation is considered here. The energy spectra of created particles are compared with the corresponding spectra obtained using the modulated plane wave approximation for the driving laser field. A very good agreement in these two cases is observed, provided that the laser pulse is sufficiently long. For short pulse durations, this agreement breaks down. The sensitivity of pair production to the polarization of a driving pulse is also investigated. We show that in the nonperturbative regime, the pair creation yields depend on the polarization of the pulse, reaching their maximal values for the linear polarization. Therefore, we focus on this case. Specifically, we analyze the dependence of pair creation on the relative configuration of linear polarizations of the laser pulse and the nonlaser photon. Lastly, we investigate the carrier-envelope phase effect on angular distributions of created particles, suggesting the possibility of phase control in relation to the pair creation processes.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

K. Krajewska, J. Z. Kaminski. 2012-09-11. Breit-Wheeler Process in Intense Short Laser Pulses. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.86.052104

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Axionic Wormholes in Metric-Affine Gravity

The axion is a promising candidate for solving the strong CP problem. To solve this problem, the global U(1) symmetry must be preserved to a high degree of accuracy. However, it is well known that global symmetries are explicitly violated by quantum gravity effects, giving rise to what is referred to as the axion quality problem. In this paper, we investigate axionic wormholes as a source of explicit U(1) violation in Metric-Affine Gravity. This framework allows for spacetime torsion and non-metricity, which accommodate additional curvature-like and topological terms, such as the Holst and Nieh--Yan terms, that are absent from the metric and Palatini formalisms. We show that non-minimal couplings to these terms modify the wormhole dynamics and enhance the Euclidean wormhole action, thereby alleviating the axion quality problem. We also find that the viable parameter space is enlarged when two of these couplings are simultaneously present. We further identify representative parameter regions where the alleviation of the axion quality problem is compatible with inflationary constraints.

hep-ph

Qubit-Qutrit Quantum Tomography of hadronic $\Lambda\phi$ and $\Lambda K^{\ast 0}$ systems

Quantum-information observables have emerged in recent years as new tools in nuclear and particle physics, from entanglement in top-quark pairs to spin correlations in $\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}$ production. Extending these studies to unequal-spin hadronic final states poses a fundamental challenge: the $6\times6$ density matrix of a qubit-qutrit system contains 35 independent spin parameters, but the decays of $\Lambda V$ pairs, with $V=\phi$ or $K^{*0}$, provide access to only 23 due to the hidden vector polarization from the strong decay. In this Letter, we formulate a qubit-qutrit quantum tomography (QQQT) technique for these spin-$\tfrac{1}{2}\otimes1$ systems and establish exact criteria for entanglement certification from the \textit{incomplete} density matrix. Compared with the $\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}$ system, QQQT of $\Lambda\phi$ and $\Lambda K^{*0}$ provides a new probe of nonperturbative QCD hadronization, enabling a direct comparison of the spin evolution of entangled quark pairs produced from the vacuum as they hadronize into a baryon or a vector meson.

hep-ph

Twist decomposition of exclusive heavy meson production cross sections

We study the twist decomposition of the total cross sections for exclusive heavy vector meson electroproduction and photoproduction in the $\gamma^\ast p$ processes, within the leading logarithmic $1/x$ BFKL formalism. The Mellin transforms of the impact factors of the vector meson are calculated. We show that the higher twist contributions are strongly suppressed in the low-$x$ kinematical regime. Possible enhancement of the higher twists effects for nuclei targets is discussed.

hep-ph