2008/07/07 by Ralf Schützhold, Holger Gies, Gerald Dunne · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.101.130404
published as Phys.Rev.Lett.101:130404,2008 · 4 pages, 2 figures
arxiv created 2008/07/07 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
We study electron-positron pair creation from the Dirac vacuum induced by a strong and slowly varying electric field (Schwinger effect) which is superimposed by a weak and rapidly changing electromagnetic field (dynamical pair creation). In the sub-critical regime where both mechanisms separately are strongly suppressed, their combined impact yields a pair creation rate which is dramatically enhanced. Intuitively speaking, the strong electric field lowers the threshold for dynamical particle creation -- or, alternatively, the fast electromagnetic field generates additional seeds for the Schwinger mechanism. These findings could be relevant for planned ultra-high intensity lasers.