2016/03/31 by Christian Schneider, Ralf Schützhold · 26 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Electric field #Exponent #Field (mathematics) #Gaussian #Instanton #Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics #Mathematical physics #Mathematics #Omega #Physics #Pure mathematics #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Quantum mechanics #Statistical physics #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.94.085015
published in Physical review. D/Physical review. D. 94(8) (American Physical Society)
openalex publication_date 2016/10/20 · arxiv created 2016/10/27 · arxiv updated 2016/10/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The probability of creating an electron-positron pair out of the quantum vacuum by a strong electric field can be enhanced tremendously via an additional weaker time-dependent field. This dynamically assisted Sauter-Schwinger effect has already been studied in several works. It has been found that the enhancement mechanism depends on the shape of the weaker field. For example, a Sauter pulse 1/cosh(\ensuremathωt)2 and a Gaussian profile exp(\ensuremath-\ensuremathω2t2) exhibit significant, qualitative differences. However, so far most of the analytical studies were focused on the exponent entering the pair-creation probability. Here, we study the subleading prefactor in front of the exponential using the worldline instanton method. We find that the main features of the dynamically assisted Sauter-Schwinger effect, including the dependence on the shape of the weaker field, are basically unaffected by the prefactor. To test the validity of the instanton approximation, we compare the number of produced pairs to a numerical integration of the full Riccati equation.