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Related Experiment Video

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Dependence of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Results on Pulse Energies and Timing Parameters Using Soil Simulants

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Published on: September 23, 2013

Electromagnetic wave collapse in a radiation background.

Mattias Marklund¹, Gert Brodin, Lennart Stenflo

¹Department of Electromagnetics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.

Physical Review Letters

|November 13, 2003

Summary

Quantum electrodynamical effects cause nonlinear interactions between electromagnetic pulses and radiation backgrounds. Intense pulses can focus and collapse, with implications for astrophysics.

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Area of Science:

Plasma Physics
Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
Astrophysical Phenomena

Background:

Investigates nonlinear interactions between electromagnetic pulses and radiation backgrounds.
Considers quantum electrodynamical (QED) effects, specifically photon-photon scattering.
Combines radiation hydrodynamics with QED theory.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the nonlinear interaction between an electromagnetic pulse and a radiation background.
To model the behavior of a single coherent electromagnetic pulse under these conditions.
To explore potential astrophysical applications of the findings.

Main Methods:

Employs a combination of radiation hydrodynamics and QED theory for photon-photon scattering.
Derives a Zakharov-like system for a single coherent electromagnetic pulse.
Analyzes the role of radiation pressure in driving acoustic waves in a photon gas.

Main Results:

The radiation pressure of the pulse drives acoustic waves in the photon gas, forming a Zakharov-like system.
Sufficiently intense pulses or high background energy densities lead to pulse focusing.
Observed focusing can result in the subsequent collapse of the electromagnetic pulse.

Conclusions:

The study provides a theoretical framework for understanding nonlinear QED interactions in astrophysical plasmas.
The derived Zakharov-like system offers insights into wave phenomena in photon gases.
The findings have potential relevance for understanding extreme astrophysical environments and phenomena.