Strong Scalar QED in Inhomogeneous Electromagnetic Fields

TL;DR

This paper reviews strong QED phenomena in intense electromagnetic fields, focusing on vacuum polarization, pair production, and their applications in astrophysics, especially in the context of inhomogeneous fields and finite-temperature effects.

Contribution

It introduces a canonical method and an algorithm for calculating pair production rates in inhomogeneous and time-dependent electric fields, advancing the computational tools in strong QED.

Findings

Developed a method for pair production at finite temperature.

Created an algorithm for localized and oscillating electric fields.

Discussed implications for astrophysical objects like strange stars.

Abstract

Strong QED has attracted attention recently partly because many astrophysical phenomena have been observed to involve electromagnetic fields beyond the critical strength for electron-positron pair production and partly because terrestrial experiments will generate electromagnetic fields above or near the critical strength in the near future. In this talk we critically review QED phenomena involving strong external electromagnetic fields. Strong QED is characterized by vacuum polarization due to quantum fluctuations and pair production due to the vacuum instability. A canonical method is elaborated for pair production at zero or finite temperature by inhomogeneous electric fields. An algorithm is advanced to calculate pair production rate for electric fields acting for finite periods of time or localized in space or oscillating electric fields. Finally, strong QED is discussed in astrophysics, in particular, strange stars.