Phase space evolution of pairs created in strong electric fields

Alberto Benedetti; Remo Ruffini; Gregory Vereshchagin

doi:10.1016/j.physleta.2012.11.026

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arXiv · 1303.2916

Phase space evolution of pairs created in strong electric fields

Alberto Benedetti·Remo Ruffini·Gregory Vereshchagin

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Abstract

We study the process of energy conversion from overcritical electric field into electron-positron-photon plasma. We solve numerically Vlasov-Boltzmann equations for pairs and photons assuming the system to be homogeneous and anisotropic. All the 2-particle QED interactions between pairs and photons are described by collision terms. We evidence several epochs of this energy conversion, each of them associated to a specific physical process. Firstly pair creation occurs, secondly back reaction results in plasma oscillations. Thirdly photons are produced by electron-positron annihilation. Finally particle interactions lead to completely equilibrated thermal electron-positron-photon plasma.

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Alberto Benedetti, Remo Ruffini, Gregory Vereshchagin. 2013-03-12. Phase space evolution of pairs created in strong electric fields. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physleta.2012.11.026

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