https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2018-12062-6
Regular Article
Phase-space analysis of the Schwinger effect in inhomogeneous electromagnetic fields
1
Helmholtz-Institut Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany
2
Theoretisch-Physikalisches Institut, Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
* e-mail: christian.kohlfuerst@uni-jena.de
Received:
9
January
2018
Accepted:
17
April
2018
Published online:
18
May
2018
Schwinger pair production in spatially and temporally inhomogeneous electric and magnetic fields is studied. The focus is on the particle phase-space distribution within a high-intensity few-cycle pulse. Accurate numerical solutions of a quantum kinetic theory (DHW formalism) are presented in momentum space and, with the aid of coarse-graining techniques, in a mixed spatial-momentum representation. Additionally, signatures of the carrier-envelope phase as well as spin-field interactions are discussed on the basis of a trajectory-based model taking into account instantaneous pair production and relativistic single-particle dynamics. Although our simple semi-classical single-particle model cannot describe every aspect of the particle production process (quantum interferences), essential features such as spin-field interactions are captured.
© Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature, 2018
