arXiv subjects

I. A. Aleksandrov

Publications and source records attributed to I. A. Aleksandrov.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Radiation signal accompanying the Schwinger effect

The properties of the forced oscillations of electron-positron plasma (EPP) generated from vacuum under the action of a short laser pulse are considered. Calculating the density of the conduction and polarization currents within the quantum kinetic approach, we demonstrate the presence of plasma oscillations at the frequency of the external field and its odd harmonics. It is expected that radiation generated by these plasma oscillations can be observed outside the interaction region, for example, outside the focal spot of two counterpropagating laser beams, and can serve as an indicator of the Schwinger mechanism of the EPP creation from vacuum.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2020

Total yield of electron-positron pairs produced from vacuum in strong electromagnetic fields: validity of the locally constant field approximation

The widely-used locally constant field approximation (LCFA) can be utilized in order to derive a simple closed-form expression for the total number of particles produced in the presence of a strong electromagnetic field of a general spatio-temporal configuration. A usual justification for this approximate approach is the requirement that the external field vary slowly in space and time. In this investigation, we examine the validity of the LCFA by comparing its predictions to the results obtained by means of exact nonperturbative numerical techniques. To benchmark the LCFA in the regime of small field amplitudes and low frequencies, we employ a semiclassical approach. As a reference, we consider a standing electromagnetic wave oscillating both in time and space as well as two spatially uniform field configurations: Sauter pulse and oscillating electric field. Performing a thorough numerical analysis, we identify the domain of the field parameters where the approximation is well justified. In particular, it is demonstrated that the Keldysh parameter is not a relevant quantity governing the accuracy of the LCFA.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Relativistic electron spin dynamics in a strong unipolar laser field

The behavior of an electron spin interacting with a linearly polarized laser field is analyzed. In contrast to previous considerations of the problem, the initial state of the electron represents a localized wave packet, and a spatial envelope is introduced for the laser pulse, which allows one to take into account the finite size of both objects. Special attention is paid to ultrashort pulses possessing a high degree of unipolarity. Within a classical treatment (both nonrelativistic and relativistic), proportionality between the change of the electron spin projections and the electric field area of the pulse is clearly demonstrated. We also perform calculations of the electron spin dynamics according to the Dirac equation. Evolving the electron wave function in time, we compute the mean values of the spin operator in various forms. It is shown that the classical relativistic predictions are accurately reproduced when using the Foldy-Wouthuysen operator. The same results are obtained when using the Lorentz transformation and the nonrelativistic (Pauli) spin operator in the particle's rest frame.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Kinetic description of vacuum $e^+ e^-$ production in strong electric fields of arbitrary polarization

We present a detailed analysis of the self-consistent system of kinetic equations (KEs) describing electron-positron pair production from vacuum under the action of a spatially homogeneous time-dependent electric field of arbitrary polarization. The physical significance of all the basic functions of the kinetic theory is ascertained. It is demonstrated that the total system of the KEs consists of two coupled quasiparticle and spin subsystems with their integrals of motion. A projection method is proposed in order to obtain the KE system in two particular cases: linearly polarized external electric field and (2+1)-dimensional description of quasiparticles in graphene. We also address the energy conservation law taking into account the internal plasma field and describe an alternative rigorous derivation of the KE system.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Relativistic calculation of the nuclear recoil effect on the $g$ factor of the $^2P_{3/2}$ state in highly charged B-like ions

The nuclear recoil effect on the $^2 P_{3/2}$-state $g$ factor of B-like ions is calculated to first order in the electron-to-nucleus mass ratio $m/M$ in the range $Z=18$--$92$. The calculations are performed by means of the $1/Z$ perturbation theory. Within the independent-electron approximation, the one- and two-electron recoil contributions are evaluated to all orders in the parameter $αZ$ by employing a fully relativistic approach. The interelectronic-interaction correction of first order in $1/Z$ is treated within the Breit approximation. Higher orders in $1/Z$ are partially taken into account by incorporating the screening potential into the zeroth-order Hamiltonian. The most accurate to date theoretical predictions for the nuclear recoil contribution to the bound-electron $g$ factor are obtained.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

Photon emission in strong fields beyond the locally-constant field approximation

We investigate a fundamental nonlinear process of vacuum photon emission in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields going beyond the locally-constant field approximation (LCFA), i.e., providing the exact treatment of the spatiotemporal inhomogeneities of the external field. We examine a standing electromagnetic wave formed by high-intensity laser pulses and benchmark the approximate predictions against the results obtained by means of a precise approach evaluating both the tadpole (reducible) and vertex (irreducible) contributions. It is demonstrated that the previously used approximate methods may fail to properly describe the quantitative characteristics of each of the two terms. In the case of the tadpole contribution, the LCFA considerably underestimates the number of photons emitted for sufficiently high frequency of the external field. The vertex term predicts emission of a great number of soft photons whose spectrum is no longer isotropic in contrast to the LCFA results. A notable difference among the photon yields along different spatial directions, which is not captured by the LCFA, represents an important signature for experimental studies of the photon emission process. Since this feature takes place unless the Keldysh parameter is much larger than unity, it can also be used in indirect observation of the Schwinger mechanism.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Locally-constant field approximation in studies of electron-positron pair production in strong external fields

In the present investigation we revisit the widely-used locally-constant field approximation (LCFA) in the context of the pair-production phenomenon in strong electromagnetic backgrounds. By means of nonperturbative numerical calculations, we assess the validity of the LCFA considering several spatially homogeneous field configurations and a number of space-time-dependent scenarios. By studying the momentum spectra of particles produced, we identify the criteria for the applicability of the LCFA. It is demonstrated that the Keldysh parameter itself does not allow one to judge if the LCFA should perform accurately. In fact, the external field parameters must obey less trivial relations whose form depends on the field configuration. We reveal several generic properties of these relations which can also be applied to a broader class of other pair-production scenarios.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Relativistic nuclear recoil effect on the $g$ factor of highly charged boronlike ions

The nuclear recoil effect on the $g$ factor of the ground state of highly charged B-like ions is studied to first order in the electron-to-nucleus mass ratio $m/M$. The leading one-electron and two-electron recoil contributions are calculated nonperturbatively in the parameter $αZ$ within the rigorous QED formalism. The interelectronic-interaction correction to the nuclear recoil effect is evaluated in the Breit approximation by means of perturbation theory to the first order in $1/Z$. The higher-order interelectronic-interaction corrections are taken into account partially by performing the calculations with the effective screening potential. The results obtained represent the most accurate up-to-date treatment of the nuclear recoil effect on the $g$ factor of highly charged B-like ions in the range $Z = 20$--$92$.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Dynamically assisted Schwinger effect beyond the spatially-uniform-field approximation

We investigate the phenomenon of electron-positron pair production from vacuum in the presence of a strong electric field superimposed by a weak but fast varying pulse which substantially increases the total particle yield. We employ a nonperturbative numerical technique and perform the calculations beyond the spatially-uniform-field approximation, i.e. dipole approximation, taking into account the coordinate dependence of the fast component. The analysis of the main characteristics of the pair-production process (momentum spectra of particles and total amount of pairs) reveals a number of important features which are absent within the previously used approximation. In particular, the structure of the momentum distribution is modified both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the total number of pairs created as well as the enhancement factor due to dynamical assistance become significantly smaller.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Momentum distribution of particles created in space-time-dependent colliding laser pulses

We study the pair-production process in the presence of two counterpropagating linearly polarized short laser pulses. By means of a nonperturbative technique, we take into account the full coordinate dependence of the external field going beyond the dipole and standing-wave approximations. In particular, we analyze the momentum distribution of particles created. It is demonstrated that the spatial variations of the laser pulses may play a crucial role. The more accurate treatment reveals a number of prominent features: the pair-production probabilities become considerably smaller, the quantitative behavior of the momentum spectra changes dramatically, and the pulse shape effects become much less pronounced. The results of our study are expected to be very important for future theoretical and experimental investigations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Pulse shape effects on the electron-positron pair production in strong laser fields

The pair-production process in the presence of strong linearly polarized laser fields with a subcycle structure is considered. Laser pulses with different envelope shapes are examined by means of a nonperturbative numerical technique. We analyze two different "flat" envelope shapes and two shapes without a plateau for their various parameters including the carrier-envelope phase. The resonant Rabi oscillations, momentum distribution of particles created, and total number of pairs are studied. It is demonstrated that all these characteristics are very sensitive to the pulse shape.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Electron-positron pair production in external electric fields varying both in space and time

The Schwinger mechanism of electron-positron pair production in the presence of strong external electric fields is analyzed numerically for the case of one- and two-dimensional field configurations where the external field depends both on time and one spatial coordinate. In order to provide this analysis, a new efficient numerical approach is developed. The number of particles created is obtained numerically and also compared with the analytical results for several exactly solvable one-dimensional backgrounds. For the case of two-dimensional field configurations the effects of the spatial finiteness are examined, which confirms their importance and helps us to attest our approach further. The corresponding calculations are also performed for several more interesting and nontrivial combinations of temporal and spatial inhomogeneities. Finally, we discuss the case of a spatially periodic external field when the approach is particularly productive. The method employed is described in detail.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Finite nuclear size corrections to the recoil effect in hydrogenlike ions

The finite nuclear size corrections to the relativistic recoil effect in H-like ions are calculated within the Breit approximation. The calculations are performed for the $1s$, $2s$, and $2p_{1/2}$ states in the range $Z =$ 1-110. The obtained results are compared with previous evaluations of this effect. It is found that for heavy ions the previously neglected corrections amount to about 20% of the total nuclear size contribution to the recoil effect calculated within the Breit approximation.

physics.atom-ph↗