Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum

Alexander J. MacLeod; Adam Noble; Dino A. Jaroszynski

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.161601

Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum

Alexander J. MacLeod, Adam Noble, Dino A. Jaroszynski

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Abstract

A charged particle moving through a medium emits Cherenkov radiation when its velocity exceeds the phase velocity of light in that medium. Under the influence of a strong electromagnetic field, quantum fluctuations can become polarized, imbuing the vacuum with an effective anisotropic refractive index and allowing the possibility of Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum. We analyze the properties of this vacuum Cherenkov radiation in strong laser pulses and the magnetic field around a pulsar, finding regimes in which it is the dominant radiation mechanism. This radiation process may be relevant to the excess signals of high energy photons in astrophysical observations.

Original language	English
Article number	161601
Number of pages	6
Journal	Physical Review Letters
Volume	122
Issue number	16
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.161601
Publication status	Published - 24 Apr 2019

Keywords

nonlinear vacuum electrodynamics
Cherenkov radiation

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10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.161601Licence: CC BY 4.0

Macleod-etal-PRL-2019-Cherenkov-radiation-from-the-quantumFinal published version, 295 KBLicence: CC BY 4.0

Dino Jaroszynski, FRSE, FInstP
- d.a.jaroszynskistrath.acuk
- Physics - Professor
- SUPA
Person: Academic

Lab in a bubble
Jaroszynski, D. (Principal Investigator), Boyd, M. (Co-investigator), Brunetti, E. (Co-investigator), Ersfeld, B. (Co-investigator), Hidding, B. (Co-investigator), McKenna, P. (Co-investigator), Noble, A. (Co-investigator), Sheng, Z.-M. (Co-investigator), Vieux, G. (Co-investigator), Welsh, G. H. (Co-investigator) & Wiggins, M. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/04/16 → 31/03/21
Project: Research
Laserlab-Europe IV (H2020 INFRA IA)
Jaroszynski, D. (Principal Investigator), Hidding, B. (Co-investigator), McKenna, P. (Co-investigator) & Sheng, Z.-M. (Co-investigator)
European Commission - Horizon Europe + H2020
1/12/15 → 30/11/19
Project: Research
Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP - University of Strathclyde) | MacLeod, Alexander
Jaroszynski, D. (Principal Investigator), Noble, A. (Co-investigator) & MacLeod, A. (Research Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/10/15 → 12/04/19
Project: Research Studentship - Internally Allocated

Cite this

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title = "Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum",

abstract = "A charged particle moving through a medium emits Cherenkov radiation when its velocity exceeds the phase velocity of light in that medium. Under the influence of a strong electromagnetic field, quantum fluctuations can become polarized, imbuing the vacuum with an effective anisotropic refractive index and allowing the possibility of Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum. We analyze the properties of this vacuum Cherenkov radiation in strong laser pulses and the magnetic field around a pulsar, finding regimes in which it is the dominant radiation mechanism. This radiation process may be relevant to the excess signals of high energy photons in astrophysical observations.",

keywords = "nonlinear vacuum electrodynamics, Cherenkov radiation",

author = "MacLeod, {Alexander J.} and Adam Noble and Jaroszynski, {Dino A.}",

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AB - A charged particle moving through a medium emits Cherenkov radiation when its velocity exceeds the phase velocity of light in that medium. Under the influence of a strong electromagnetic field, quantum fluctuations can become polarized, imbuing the vacuum with an effective anisotropic refractive index and allowing the possibility of Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum. We analyze the properties of this vacuum Cherenkov radiation in strong laser pulses and the magnetic field around a pulsar, finding regimes in which it is the dominant radiation mechanism. This radiation process may be relevant to the excess signals of high energy photons in astrophysical observations.

KW - nonlinear vacuum electrodynamics

KW - Cherenkov radiation

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DO - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.161601

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JO - Physical Review Letters

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Cherenkov radiation from the quantum vacuum

Abstract

Keywords

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Profiles

Dino Jaroszynski, FRSE, FInstP

Projects

Lab in a bubble

Laserlab-Europe IV (H2020 INFRA IA)

Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP - University of Strathclyde) | MacLeod, Alexander

Cite this