arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Lance Labun.
The properties of the quark and hadron Universe are explored. Kinetic theory considerations are presented proving that hadron abundances after phase transformation from quarks to hadrons remain intact till abundances of hadrons become irrelevant. The hadronization process and the evolution of hadron yields is described in detail.
The quantum fluctuations of an "accelerated" vacuum state, that is vacuum fluctuations in the presence of a constant electromagnetic field, can be described by the temperature $\TEH$. Considering $\TEH$ for the gyromagnetic factor $g=1$ we show that $\TEH(g=1)=\THU$, where $\THU$ is the Unruh temperature experienced by an accelerated observer. We conjecture that both particle production and nonlinear field effects inherent in the Unruh accelerated observer case are described by the case $g=1$ QED of strong fields. We present rates of particle production for $g=0,1,2$ and show that the case $g=1$ is experimentally distinguishable from $g=0,2$. Therefore, either accelerated observers are distinguishable from accelerated vacuum or there is unexpected modification of the theoretical framework.
Little is known about the physics frontier of strong acceleration; both classical and quantum physics need further development in order to be able to address this newly accessible area of physics. In this lecture we discuss what strong acceleration means and possible experiments using electron-laser collisions and, data available from ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. We review the foundations of the current understanding of charged particle dynamics in presence of critical forces and discuss the radiation reaction inconsistency in electromagnetic theory and the apparent relation with quantum physics and strong field particle production phenomena. The role of the quantum vacuum as an inertial reference frame is emphasized, as well as the absence of such a `Machian' reference frame in the conventional classical limit of quantum field theory.
The electron vacuum fluctuations measured by $\cond$ do not vanish in an externally applied electric field $\calE$. For an exactly constant field, that is for vacuum fluctuations in presence of a constant accelerating force, we show that $\cond$ has a Boson-like structure with spectral state density $\tanh^{-1}(E/m)$ and temperature $\TEH = e\calE/mπ= a_v/π$. Considering the vacuum fluctuations of `classical' gyromagnetic ratio $g=1$ particles we find Fermi-like structure with the same spectral state density at a smaller temperature $T_1=a_v/2π$ which corresponds to the Unruh temperature of an accelerated observer.
We consider compact astrophysical objects formed from dark matter fermions of mass 250 GeV to 100 TeV or from massless fermions hidden by vacuum structure of similar energy scale. These macroscopic objects have maximum stable masses of sub-planetary scale (asteroids) and radii of micron to centimeter scale. We describe the surface gravity and tidal forces near these compact ultra dense objects, as pertinent to signatures of their collisions with visible matter objects.
We propose a model of clustered u-d-s quark matter that leads to stable bulk strange quark matter. We discuss qualitatively consequences of impacts by sub-planetary mass strangelets on rocky solar system bodies.
The spectrum of electrons and positrons originating from vacuum decay occurring in the collision of two non-colinear laser pulses is obtained. It displays high energy, highly-collimated particle bunches traveling in a direction separate from the laser beams. This result provides an unmistakable signature of the vacuum decay phenomenon and could suggest a new avenue for development of high energy electron and/or positron beams.
We evaluate particle production in highly asymmetric head-on collisions of lasers pulses due to non-perturbative coherent action of many photons. We obtain the yield of electron-positron pairs, which is controlled by the photon content of the weaker pulse, and show that the wavelength of the weaker pulse and the momentum asymmetry determine laboratory energy of the produced particles.
We consider that the universe is trapped in an excited vacuum state and the resulting excitation energy provides the observed dark energy. We explore the conditions under which this situation can arise from physics already known. Considering the example of how macroscopic QED fields alter the vacuum structure, we find that the energy scale 1 meV --- 1 eV is particularly interesting. We discuss how dark energy of this form is accessible to laboratory experiments.
Understanding physics in domains of critical (quantum unstable) fields requires investigating the classical and quantum particle dynamics at the critical acceleration, $\dot u \to 1$ [natural units]. This regime of physics remains today experimentally practically untested. Particle and light collision experiments reaching critical acceleration are becoming feasible, in particular applying available high intensity laser technology. Ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions breach the critical domain but are complicated by the presence of much other physics. The infamous problem of radiation reaction and the challenging environment of quantum vacuum instability arising in the high field domain signal the need for a thorough redress of the present theoretical framework.
We study the properties of the trace $\Tmm$ of the QED energy-momentum tensor in the presence of quasi-constant external electromagnetic fields. We exhibit the origin of $\Tmm$ in the quantum nonlinearity of the electromagnetic theory. We obtain the quantum vacuum fluctuation-induced interaction of a particle with the field of a strongly magnetized compact stellar object.
Discussing the limitations on the validity of classical electrodynamics, we show that present day laser pulse technology applied to head-on-collisions with relativistic electrons generates fields strong enough to permit experimentation at the limits of validity of the Lorentz force, and the development of experimental tests of Mach's principle. We also discuss more distant opportunities for exploring the nature of laws of physics and the vacuum structure. We then conclude that the predictions of quantum electrodynamics in the presence of critical fields are not completely satisfactory and argue that the study of Laser materialization into particle pairs opens a new domain of quantum electrodynamics.
Short review of riddles that lie at the intersection of quantum theory, particle physics and cosmology; dark energy as false vacuum; discussion of a possible detection experiment.
Quasi-constant external fields in nonlinear electromagnetism generate a contribution to the energy-momentum tensor with the form of dark energy. To provide a thorough understanding of the origin and strength of the effects, we undertake a complete theoretical and numerical study of the energy-momentum tensor $T^{μν}$ for nonlinear electromagnetism. The Euler-Heisenberg nonlinearity due to quantum fluctuations of spinor and scalar matter fields is considered and contrasted with the properties of classical nonlinear Born-Infeld electromagnetism. We also address modifications of charged particle kinematics by strong background fields.
We consider dynamics of vacuum decay and particle production in the context of short pulse laser experiments. We identify and evaluate the invariant "materialization time," $τ$, the timescale for the conversion of an electromagnetic field energy into particles, and we compare to the laser related time scales.
We investigate the stochastic dynamics of a particle in the presence of a modulated sinusoidal potential. Using the time derivative of the winding number, we quantify the particle's motion according to its running time, the time it runs monotonically to the left or right. For a range of model parameters, we show that, in the overdamped regime, the particle's motion in this modulated washboard potential exhibits stochastic resonance. We briefly suggest possible applications of our results, including the amplification of signals for measurement devices and in stimulated tunneling of Bose-Einstein condensates.