1,496 research outputs found
Graviton mediated photon-photon scattering in general relativity
In this paper we consider photon-photon scattering due to self-induced
gravitational perturbations on a Minkowski background. We focus on four-wave
interaction between plane waves with weakly space and time dependent
amplitudes, since interaction involving a fewer number of waves is excluded by
energy-momentum conservation. The Einstein-Maxwell system is solved
perturbatively to third order in the field amplitudes and the coupling
coefficients are found for arbitrary polarizations in the center of mass
system. Comparisons with calculations based on quantum field theoretical
methods are made, and the small discrepances are explained.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
A Scalar Wigner Theory for Polarized Light in Nonlinear Kerr Media
A scalar Wigner distribution function for describing polarized light is
proposed in analogy with the treatment of spin variables in quantum kinetic
theory. The formalism is applied to the propagation of circularly polarized
light in nonlinear Kerr media and an extended phase space evolution equation is
derived along with invariant quantities. We further consider modulation
instability as well as the extension to partially coherent fields.Comment: 6 page
Turbulence in Binary Bose-Einstein Condensates Generated by Highly Non-Linear Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities
Quantum turbulence (QT) generated by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in
binary immiscible ultracold 87Rb atoms at zero temperature is studied
theoretically. We show that the quantum vortex tangle is qualitatively
different from previously considered superfluids, which reveals deep relations
between QT and classical turbulence. The present QT may be generated at
arbitrarily small Mach numbers, which is a unique property not found in
previously studied superfluids. By numerical solution of the coupled
Gross-Pitaevskii equations we find that the Kolmogorov scaling law holds for
the incompressible kinetic energy. We demonstrate that the phenomenon may be
observed in the laboratory.Comment: Revised version. 7 pages, 8 figure
Spin solitons in magnetized pair plasmas
A set of fluid equations, taking into account the spin properties of the
electrons and positrons in a magnetoplasma, are derived. The
magnetohydrodynamic limit of the pair plasma is investigated. It is shown that
the microscopic spin properties of the electrons and positrons can lead to
interesting macroscopic and collective effects in strongly magnetized plasmas.
In particular, it is found that new Alfvenic solitary structures, governed by a
modified Korteweg-de Vries equation, are allowed in such plasmas. These
solitary structures vanish if the quantum spin effects are neglected. Our
results should be of relevance for astrophysical plasmas, e.g. in pulsar
magnetospheres.Comment: 7 page
Instability and dynamics of two nonlinearly coupled laser beams in a plasma
We investigate the nonlinear interaction between two laser beams in a plasma
in the weakly nonlinear and relativistic regime. The evolution of the laser
beams is governed by two nonlinear Schroedinger equations that are coupled with
the slow plasma density response. We study the growth rates of the Raman
forward and backward scattering instabilities as well of the Brillouin and
self-focusing/modulational instabilities. The nonlinear evolution of the
instabilities is investigated by means of direct simulations of the
time-dependent system of nonlinear equations.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure
Rotating perfect fluid sources of the NUT metric
Locally rotationally symmetric perfect fluid solutions of Einstein's
gravitational equations are matched along the hypersurface of vanishing
pressure with the NUT metric. These rigidly rotating fluids are interpreted as
sources for the vacuum exterior which consists only of a stationary region of
the Taub-NUT space-time. The solution of the matching conditions leaves
generally three parameters in the global solution. Examples of perfect fluid
sources are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, late
Cosmic magnetic fields from velocity perturbations in the early Universe
We show, using a covariant and gauge-invariant charged multifluid
perturbation scheme, that velocity perturbations of the matter-dominated dust
Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model can lead to the generation of
cosmic magnetic fields. Moreover, using cosmic microwave background (CMB)
constraints, it is argued that these fields can reach strengths of between
10^{-28} and 10^{-29} G at the time the dynamo mechanism sets in, making them
plausible seed field candidates.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, IOP style, minor changes and typos correcte
Electrostatic pair creation and recombination in quantum plasmas
The collective production of electron-positron pairs by electrostatic waves
in quantum plasmas is investigated. In particular, a semi-classical governing
set of equation for a self-consistent treatment of pair creation by the
Schwinger mechanism in a quantum plasma is derived.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in JETP Letter
A possibility to measure elastic photon--photon scattering in vacuum
Photon--photon scattering in vacuum due to the interaction with virtual
electron-positron pairs is a consequence of quantum electrodynamics. A way for
detecting this phenomenon has been devised based on interacting modes generated
in microwave waveguides or cavities [G. Brodin, M. Marklund and L. Stenflo,
Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{87} 171801 (2001)]. Here we materialize these ideas,
suggest a concrete cavity geometry, make quantitative estimates and propose
experimental details. It is found that detection of photon-photon scattering
can be within the reach of present day technology.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
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