On the effect of time-dependent inhomogeneous magnetic fields in electron-positron pair production

TL;DR

This paper investigates how time-dependent, inhomogeneous magnetic fields influence electron-positron pair production, focusing on particle momenta, total yield, and the role of Lorentz invariants in the process.

Contribution

It is the first study to analyze the impact of time-dependent, inhomogeneous magnetic fields on pair production and the significance of Lorentz invariants in this context.

Findings

Magnetic field inhomogeneity affects particle momenta.

Magnetic fields influence total pair yield.

Lorentz invariant $ extbf{E}^2 - extbf{B}^2$ plays a crucial role.

Abstract

Electron-positron pair production in space- and time-dependent electromagnetic fields is investigated. Especially, the influence of a time-dependent, inhomogeneous magnetic field on the particle momenta and the total particle yield is analyzed for the first time. The role of the Lorentz invariant $\mathbf{E}^2 - \mathbf{B}^2$, including its sign and local values, in the pair creation process is emphasized.