Photon splitting above the pair creation threshold in a strong magnetic field

The process of photon splitting $\gamma \to \gamma \gamma$ in a strong magnetic field is investigated both below and above the pair creation threshold. Contrary to the statement by Baier et al., the ``allowed'' channel \alw is shown not to be a comprehensive description of splitting in the strong field because the ``forbidden'' channel \frb is also essential. The partial amplitudes and the splitting probabilities are calculated taking account of the photon dispersion and large radiative corrections near the resonance.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX, uses epsf.sty, numerical error in eq.(11) corrected, typos fixed, presentation improved, accepted to Physics Letters

The influence of strong magnetic field on photon-neutrino reactions

The two-photon two-neutrino interaction induced by magnetic field is investigated. In particular the processes $\gamma \gamma \to \nu \bar \nu$ and $\gamma \to \gamma \nu \bar \nu$ are studied in the presence of strong magnetic field. An effective Lagrangian and partial amplitudes of the processes are presented. Neutrino emissivities due to the reactions $\gamma \gamma \to \nu \bar \nu$ and $\gamma \to \gamma \nu \bar \nu$ are calculated taking into account of the photon dispersion and large radiative corrections. A comparison of the results obtained with previous estimations and another inducing mechanisms of the processes under consideration is made.Comment: 16 pages, LATEX, 3 EPS figures, based on the talk presented at XXXI ITEP Winter School of Physics, Moscow, Russia, February 18 - 26, 200

Formation of "Lightnings" in a Neutron Star Magnetosphere and the Nature of RRATs

The connection between the radio emission from "lightnings" produced by the absorption of high-energy photons from the cosmic gamma-ray background in a neutron star magnetosphere and radio bursts from rotating radio transients (RRATs) is investigated. The lightning length reaches 1000 km; the lightning radius is 100 m and is comparable to the polar cap radius. If a closed magnetosphere is filled with a dense plasma, then lightnings are efficiently formed only in the region of open magnetic field lines. For the radio emission from a separate lightning to be observed, the polar cap of the neutron star must be directed toward the observer and, at the same time, the lightning must be formed. The maximum burst rate is related to the time of the plasma outflow from the polar cap region. The typical interval between two consecutive bursts is ~100 s. The width of a single radio burst can be determined both by the width of the emission cone formed by the lightning emitting regions at some height above the neutron star surface and by a finite lightning lifetime. The width of the phase distribution for radio bursts from RRATs, along with the integrated pulse width, is determined by the width of the bundle of open magnetic field lines at the formation height of the radio emission. The results obtained are consistent with the currently available data and are indicative of a close connection between RRATs, intermittent pulsars, and extreme nullers.Comment: 24 pages, no figures, references update

Photon splitting in a strongly magnetized, charge-asymmetric plasma

The process of the photon splitting, γ → γγ, is investigated in the presence of strongly magnetized charge-asymmetric cold plasma. The dispersion properties of photons and the new polarization selection rules are obtained in such plasma. The absorption rate of the leading photon splitting channel are calculated with taking account of the photon dispersion and wave function renormalization. In addition, a comparison of the photon splitting and the Compton scattering processes is performed

Photon splitting in a strongly magnetized, charge-asymmetric plasma

The process of the photon splitting, γ → γγ, is investigated in the presence of strongly magnetized charge-asymmetric cold plasma. The dispersion properties of photons and the new polarization selection rules are obtained in such plasma. The absorption rate of the leading photon splitting channel are calculated with taking account of the photon dispersion and wave function renormalization. In addition, a comparison of the photon splitting and the Compton scattering processes is performed

Photon splitting in strongly magnetized medium with taking into account positronium influence

The process of the photon splitting, γ → γγ, is investigated in strongly magnetized vacuum with taking into account positronium influence. The dispersion properties of photons and the new polarization selection rules are obtained. The absorption rate of the leading photon splitting channels are calculated with taking account of the photon dispersion and wave function renormalization

Photon splitting in strongly magnetized medium with taking into account positronium influence

The process of the photon splitting, γ → γγ, is investigated in strongly magnetized vacuum with taking into account positronium influence. The dispersion properties of photons and the new polarization selection rules are obtained. The absorption rate of the leading photon splitting channels are calculated with taking account of the photon dispersion and wave function renormalization