Abstract
We undertake an investigation of particle acceleration in the context of non-linear electrodynamics. We deduce the maximum energy that an electron can gain in a non-linear density wave in a magnetised plasma, and we show that an electron can “surf” a sufficiently intense Born-Infeld electromagnetic plane wave and be strongly accelerated by the wave. The first result is valid for a large class of physically reasonable modifications of the linear Maxwell equations, whilst the second result exploits the special mathematical structure of Born-Infeld theory.
Highlights
The implications of theories that couple the electromagnetic field to itself have been an enduring source of interest to particle theorists for decades, and recent developments in ultra-high intensity lasers have led to a surge of interest in relativistic non-linear electrodynamics by the wider community
We deduce the maximum energy that an electron can gain in a non-linear density wave in a magnetised plasma, and we show that an electron can “surf” a sufficiently intense Born-Infeld electromagnetic plane wave and be strongly accelerated by the wave
In the absence of an established theory of radiation reaction in the context of non-linear electrodynamics, we focused our attention on a simple matter model compatible with stress-energy-momentum balance and explored test particle motion in that context
Summary
The implications of theories that couple the electromagnetic field to itself have been an enduring source of interest to particle theorists for decades, and recent developments in ultra-high intensity lasers have led to a surge of interest in relativistic non-linear electrodynamics by the wider community. An exact solution describing an electromagnetic pulse immersed in a uniform magnetic field is known[17] and we suggest that this may have implications for vacuum laser acceleration in future facilities, such as ELI.[1] Section III shows that an electron interacting with a non-linear Born-Infeld electromagnetic plane wave can be uniformly accelerated to arbitrarily high energies. This novel result is non-perturbative and has no analogue in linear Maxwell electromagnetics. Further details of the notation and conventions used here may be found in Ref. 18
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
