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Nonlinear Effects in Quantum Electrodynamics. Photon Propagation and Photon Splitting in an External Field

Z. Bialynicka-Birula* and I. Bialynicki-Birula†

  • Department of Physics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213

  • *On leave of absence from the Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
  • †On leave of absence from Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland.
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Phys. Rev. D 2, 2341 – Published 15 November, 1970

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.2.2341

Abstract

The effective nonlinear Lagrangian derived by Heisenberg and Euler is used to describe the propagation of photons in slowly varying but otherwise arbitrary electromagnetic fields. The group and the phase velocities for both propagation modes are calculated, and it is shown that the propagation is always causal. The photon splitting processes are also studied, and it is shown that they do not play any significant role even in very strong magnetic fields surrounding neutron stars.

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References (16)

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  13. Omitted endnote

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. D 2, 2341– Published 15 November, 1970
  • Received 14 July 1970

© 1970 American Physical Society

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