Abstract
A particularly interesting consequence of the Dirac equation and hole theory is the phenomenon of spontaneous e+e− pair creation in strong static electric fields1–3. Normally, pair creation in a static field costs energy, ΔE = 2me − B, where B is the binding energy of the electron. Consequently, spontaneous pair creation is normally a virtual process lasting only a short time, Δ τ ∿ 1/ΔE ∿ (2me − B)−1. This virtual process is called vacuum polarization in Quantum Electrodynamics (QED). However, if the external fields become so strong that B → 2me, then Δ τ → ∞, and the virtual pair can “materialize”. In terms of QED this would be called real or on-shell vacuum polarization.
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