The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production
The production of electron–positron pairs in time-dependent electric fields (Schwinger mechanism) depends non-linearly on the applied field profile. Accordingly, the resulting momentum spectrum is extremely sensitive to small variations of the field parameters. Owing to this non-linear dependence it...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2016-02-01
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| Series: | Physics Letters B |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269315009971 |
| _version_ | 1818949341867409408 |
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| author | F. Hebenstreit |
| author_facet | F. Hebenstreit |
| author_sort | F. Hebenstreit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The production of electron–positron pairs in time-dependent electric fields (Schwinger mechanism) depends non-linearly on the applied field profile. Accordingly, the resulting momentum spectrum is extremely sensitive to small variations of the field parameters. Owing to this non-linear dependence it is so far unpredictable how to choose a field configuration such that a predetermined momentum distribution is generated. We show that quantum kinetic theory along with optimal control theory can be used to approximately solve this inverse problem for Schwinger pair production. We exemplify this by studying the superposition of a small number of harmonic components resulting in predetermined signatures in the asymptotic momentum spectrum. In the long run, our results could facilitate the observation of this yet unobserved pair production mechanism in quantum electrodynamics by providing suggestions for tailored field configurations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T09:01:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-025741f780d74d4daf65a8290a39770d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0370-2693 1873-2445 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T09:01:10Z |
| publishDate | 2016-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physics Letters B |
| spelling | doaj.art-025741f780d74d4daf65a8290a39770d2022-12-21T19:45:51ZengElsevierPhysics Letters B0370-26931873-24452016-02-01753C33634010.1016/j.physletb.2015.12.049The inverse problem for Schwinger pair productionF. HebenstreitThe production of electron–positron pairs in time-dependent electric fields (Schwinger mechanism) depends non-linearly on the applied field profile. Accordingly, the resulting momentum spectrum is extremely sensitive to small variations of the field parameters. Owing to this non-linear dependence it is so far unpredictable how to choose a field configuration such that a predetermined momentum distribution is generated. We show that quantum kinetic theory along with optimal control theory can be used to approximately solve this inverse problem for Schwinger pair production. We exemplify this by studying the superposition of a small number of harmonic components resulting in predetermined signatures in the asymptotic momentum spectrum. In the long run, our results could facilitate the observation of this yet unobserved pair production mechanism in quantum electrodynamics by providing suggestions for tailored field configurations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269315009971Dynamically assisted Schwinger mechanismInverse problemOptimal control theory |
| spellingShingle | F. Hebenstreit The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production Physics Letters B Dynamically assisted Schwinger mechanism Inverse problem Optimal control theory |
| title | The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production |
| title_full | The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production |
| title_fullStr | The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production |
| title_full_unstemmed | The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production |
| title_short | The inverse problem for Schwinger pair production |
| title_sort | inverse problem for schwinger pair production |
| topic | Dynamically assisted Schwinger mechanism Inverse problem Optimal control theory |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370269315009971 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fhebenstreit theinverseproblemforschwingerpairproduction AT fhebenstreit inverseproblemforschwingerpairproduction |