Waves in Relativistic Scalar QED Plasma

POSTER

Abstract

When ultra-intense laser is used to compress solid targets, particles are accelerated to relativistic energy and plasma with density higher then solid can be created. In such plasma, the relativistic and quantum nature of particles can no longer be ignored. Using a quantum field theory description of scalar QED plasma, we demonstrate how waves in such plasma are affected. It is found that in unmagnetized plasma, the electrostatic wave can now propagate with nonzero group velocity even when the plasma is cold. In magnetized plasma, Landau levels serve as resonances and polarization due to transitions between these resonances give rise to Bernstein waves even when the plasma is cold.

Authors

  • Yuan Shi

    Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

  • N.J. Fisch

    Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA, Princeton Plasma Phys Lab, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

  • Hong Qin

    Princeton University and University of Science and Technology of China, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University