Resonant Compton scattering of electromagnetic waves in a quantum plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates resonant gamma-ray scattering in quantum plasmas, showing that collective effects lead to more efficient growth rates than incoherent scattering, with implications for laboratory and astrophysical gamma-ray sources.

Contribution

It introduces a collective Klein-Gordon-Maxwell model to analyze resonant scattering, revealing enhanced growth rates and clarifying the absence of Raman scattering off pair modes.

Findings

Growth rates for unstable modes are higher than incoherent scattering.

Resonant scattering is more efficient above a critical wave amplitude.

Model excludes Raman scattering off pair modes.

Abstract

We consider the resonant scattering of coherent electromagnetic waves by a Raman-like process in the gamma ray range off electrostatic modes in a quantum plasma using a collective Klein-Gordon-Maxwell model. The growth rates for the most unstable modes are calculated theoretically, and the results are found to be more efficient than incoherent Compton scattering off individual electrons above a critical amplitude of the electromagnetic wave. The model does not predict Raman scattering off pair modes that exist in the Klein-Gordon-Maxwell model. The results are relevant for coherent gamma rays created in forthcoming laboratory experiments or in astrophysical objects.