Comment on: "Interacting quantum and classical waves: Resonant and non-resonant energy transfer to electrons immersed in an intense electromagnetic wave'' [Phys. Plasmas 29, 022107 (2022)]

TL;DR

This comment critiques a recent paper on quantum and classical wave interactions in plasmas, demonstrating classical equivalence, correcting errors, and discussing the relevance of the proposed mechanisms for energetic particle generation.

Contribution

The comment shows that the quantum model results are reproducible classically, corrects errors in the original paper, and questions the applicability of the proposed mechanism to real plasma scenarios.

Findings

Classical approach reproduces quantum results

Identified and corrected errors in the original paper

Questioned the mechanism's relevance to energetic particle generation

Abstract

A comment on the paper by S. M. Mahajan and F. A. Asenjo "Interacting quantum and classical waves: Resonant and non-resonant energy transfer to electrons immersed in an intense electromagnetic wave" [Phys. Plasmas 29, 022107 (2022)] where the authors use a model based on the Klein-Gordon equation to discuss particle energization by a transverse electromagnetic wave in a plasma. It is shown that the results of the paper are easily obtained in a classical approach, so that no quantum effect has to be invoked. Moreover, some mistakes and misinterpretations in the paper have been corrected. The (un)suitability of the proposed mechanism to account for generation of extremely energetic particles in both laboratory and astrophysical scenarios is also discussed.