QED Effects Research Articles

Breit interaction in dielectronic recombination of hydrogenlike xenon ions: storage-ring experiment and theory

Abstract Electron-ion collision spectroscopy of the KLL dielectronic recombination (DR) resonances of hydrogenlike xenon ions was performed at a heavy-ion storage ring with a resolving power that is competitive with x-ray spectroscopy of inner-shell transitions in highly charged ions. The $$KL_{1/2}L_{1/2}$$ K L 1 / 2 L 1 / 2 , $$KL_{1/2}L_{3/2}$$ K L 1 / 2 L 3 / 2 , and $$KL_{3/2}L_{3/2}$$ K L 3 / 2 L 3 / 2 resonance groups and even parts of their fine structure are individually resolved. The resonance strengths were measured on an absolute scale and compared with results from multi-configuration Dirac–Fock (MCDF) calculations. These are in excellent agreement with the experimental findings when QED effects on the resonance energies and the Breit interaction are considered. As already found for DR of hydrogenlike uranium (Bernhardt et al. in Phys Rev A 83:020701(R), 2011), this interaction is particularly strong for the $$KL_{1/2}L_{1/2}$$ K L 1 / 2 L 1 / 2 resonance group. For U$$^{91+}$$ 91 + , it increases the $$KL_{1/2}L_{1/2}$$ K L 1 / 2 L 1 / 2 DR resonance strength by 40%. For Xe$$^{53+}$$ 53 + , the increase is found to amount to 25%, confirming the prediction that the influence of the Breit interaction grows with increasing nuclear charge. A comprehensive appendix treats the derivation of experimental and theoretical merged-beams recombination rate coefficients for interacting beams of relativistic electrons and ions. Graphical abstract

Zeeman spectroscopy of cadmium lines

A Fabry–Perot interferometry was used to measure with a precision of about 10-4\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$10^{-4}$$\\end{document} the Landé factor values of the levels issued from the 5s5p, 5s6d, 5s6s and 5s7p configurations of cadmium. Fully relativistic MCDHF calculations taking into account Breit and QED effects were performed to interpret the results of the experiment performed on the cadmium isotope 114. In addition to the four experimental Landé gJ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$g_J$$\\end{document} values, new theoretical results for 12 levels are reported for the first time.Graphic

Photons in the proton: implications for the LHC

We construct a set of parton distribution functions (PDFs), based on the recent NNPDF4.0 PDF set, that also include a photon PDF. The photon PDF is constructed using the LuxQED formalism, while QED evolution accounting for Oα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathcal {O}}\\left( \\alpha \\right) $$\\end{document}, Oααs\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathcal {O}}\\left( \\alpha \\alpha _s\\right) $$\\end{document}, and Oα2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathcal {O}}\\left( \\alpha ^2\\right) $$\\end{document} corrections is implemented and benchmarked by means of the EKO code. We investigate the impact of QED effects on NNPDF4.0, and compare our results both to our previous NNPDF3.1QED PDF set and to other recent PDF sets that include the photon. We assess the impact of photon-initiated processes and electroweak corrections on a variety of representative LHC processes, and find that they can reach the 5% level in vector boson pair production at large invariant mass.

The excitation energies and hyperfine structures for 2l, 3l states in lithiumlike ions

Combining the multi-configuration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method and the model-quantum electrodynamics (QED) approach, the wave functions, transition energies and hyperfine structure constants for 2l, 3l states in Li-like Ne7+, Mg9+, Al10+, P12+, Ar15+ and Ca17+ ions are calculated. The effects of electron correlation, Breit interactions, nuclear recoil and QED effects are analyzed in detail. We find that the contribution of the non-diagonal elements of the self-energy is significant for the 2p1/2→2s1/2 and 2p3/2→2s1/2 transitions. However, for the 3l→2s1/2 transitions, the contribution of non-diagonal elements is small. The accuracy of the currently calculated hyperfine structure constants is expected to be within 1%.

Light-Matter Interaction near the Schwinger Limit Using Tightly Focused Doppler-Boosted Lasers.

Strong-field quantum electrodynamics (SF QED) is a burgeoning research topic dealing with electromagnetic fields comparable to the Schwinger field (≈1.32×10^{18} V/m). While most past and proposed experiments rely on reaching this field in the rest frame of relativistic particles, the Schwinger limit could also be approached in the laboratory frame by focusing to its diffraction limit the light reflected by a plasma mirror irradiated by a multipetawatt laser. We explore the interaction between such intense light and matter with particle-in-cell simulations. We find that the collision with a relativistic electron beam would enable the study of the nonperturbative regime of SF QED, while the interaction with a solid target leads to a profusion of SF QED effects that retroact on the interaction. In both cases, relativistic attosecond pair jets with high densities are formed.

The 3d 2 D 5/2−2 D 3/2 magnetic dipole transition in potassium-like ions

Spectral lines of the magnetic-dipole transition between the 3d2D3/2,5/2 levels of K-like Kr17+, Zr21+, Nb22+, Mo23+, and Ru25+ ions were measured in a compact electron beam ion trap. By means of dedicated calibration methods, the transition wavelengths of Kr17+, Zr21+, and Mo23+ ions reduce uncertainties by at least one order of magnitude and the wavelengths of Nb22+ and Ru25+ ions are measured for the first time at a few ppm level. In addition, the fine-structure energy splittings were systematically calculated using the multiconfiguration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method combined with the relativistic configuration interaction approach. The contributions of the core-valence and core-core electron correlations, the Breit interaction and QED effect were discussed in detail. The results show that it is essential to include deep core-valence correlation of L-shell and core-core valence correlation of 3p subshell to obtain an agreement better than 0.15% with existing experimental values. The calculation model can be performed to predict the wavelength within a high accuracy for a wide range of potassium-like ions.

X-ray Polarization from Magnetar Sources

The launch of the IXPE telescope in late 2021 finally made polarization measurements in the 2–8keV band a reality, more than 40 years after the pioneering observations of the OSO-8 satellite. In the first two years of operations, IXPE targeted more than 60 sources, including four magnetars, neutron stars with magnetic fields in the petaGauss range. In this paper we summarize the IXPE main findings and discuss their implications for the physics of ultra-magnetized neutron stars. Polarimetric observations confirmed theoretical predictions, according to which X-ray radiation from magnetar sources is highly polarized, up to ≈80%, the highest value detected so far. This provides an independent confirmation that magnetars are indeed endowed with a super-strong magnetic field and that the twisted magnetosphere scenario is the most likely explanation for their soft X-ray emission. Polarization measurements allowed us to probe the physical conditions of the star’s outermost layers, showing that the cooler surface regions are in a condensed state, with no atmosphere on top. Although no smoking-gun of vacuum QED effects was found, the phase-dependent behavior of the polarization angle strongly hints that vacuum birefringence is indeed at work in magnetar magnetospheres.

Nonperturbative theory for the QED corrections to elastic electron-nucleus scattering

A potential for the vertex and self-energy correction is derived from the first-order Born theory. The inclusion of this potential in the Dirac equation, together with the Uehling potential for vacuum polarization, allows for a nonperturbative treatment of these quantum electrodynamical effects within the phase-shift analysis. Investigating the 12C and 208Pb targets, a considerable deviation of the respective cross section change from the Born results is found for the heavier target. It is shown that at low impact energies the dispersion effects play no role. Estimates for the correction to the beam-normal spin asymmetry and its accuracy at 5 MeV (for 208Pb and 197Au) are also provided.

Hundreds-petawatt laser pulses shaping and heavy ion acceleration based on conical plasma channels

In this paper, the effects of conical plasma channels on the laser pulses shaping and the heavy ion acceleration under the extreme light field conditions of hundreds-petawatt are investigated using a particle simulation method. The law of influence of the conical plasma channel on the spatio-temporal waveform and intensity of the incident laser is analyzed, when the QED effect is taken into account. The reason for the shaping laser-enhanced heavy ion acceleration is given, and the role of the QED effect in the acceleration process is explained.<br>It is found that, due to the non-linear interference and focusing effects, the conical plasma channel can shape the spatio-temporal waveform of the laser pulse and enhance the laser intensity. A tightly focused (beam waist radius < 1 μm) and ultra-high intensity (enhanced 6 times) shaping laser is obtained for a linearly polarized laser with an intensity of 5.46 × 10<sup>22</sup> W/cm<sup>2</sup> and a waist radius of 10 μm at an incident angle of <i>θ</i> = 10°. In the simulation, the conical plasma channel is fully ionized high-Z gold plasma with the electron densities up to <i>n<sub>e</sub></i>=2626.5<i>n<sub>c</sub></i>. Therefore most of the laser energy in the channel is reflected by the channel wall, and the QED effect has less impact on laser focusing and shaping. Using this laser to accelerate an ultra-thin flat target placed at the end of the channel. It is found that, the radiation reaction force can effectively suppress the transverse expansion of the ultra-thin flat target caused by the electron heating and the transverse non-uniform of the laser intensity. The transparency time of the ultra-thin flat target is prolonged, which will allow the gold ions to be fully accelerated. Ultimately, gold ions with a cutoff energy of up to ~ 240 GeV can be obtained. The results are expected to provide theoretical references and technical support for the design of future hundreds-petawatt laser heavy ion acceleration experiments and their application research of high-quality ion source, such as nucleus-nucleus collisions.

QED effects in inclusive semi-leptonic B decays

We analyse in detail the QED corrections to the total decay width and the moments of the electron energy spectrum of the inclusive semi-leptonic B → Xceν decay. Our calculation includes short-distance electroweak corrections, the complete \U0001d4aa(α) partonic terms and leading-logarithmic QED effects up to OΛQCD3/mb3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{O}\\left({\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{QCD}}^3/{m}_b^3\\right) $$\\end{document}. A comprehensive numerical comparison of our results against those obtained with the Monte Carlo (MC) tool PHOTOS is presented. While the comparison indicates good overall agreement, our computation contains QED effects not included in PHOTOS and should therefore better describe photon radiation to B → Xceν as measured by the B-factories. Our calculations represent the first steps in the construction of a fully differential higher-order QED MC generator for inclusive semi-leptonic B decays.

Inclusion of QED corrections in PDFs fits

The need of percent precision in high energy physics requires the inclusion of QED effects in theoretical predictions, including the contribution of photon-initiated processes. In this contribution we present ongoing work towards extending the NNPDF4.0 NNLO determination of parton distribution functions (PDFs) with QED effects and a photon PDF. We study the impact of QED effects in the NNPDF4.0 fit, compare our results with NNPDF3.1QED and other recent QED PDF fits, and we assess the impact of the photon PDF for representative LHC processes.

Exploring the higher-order QED effects on the differential distributions of vacuum pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Extensive studies have been conducted in the past few decades to investigate potential signatures of higher-order QED effects in high-energy electromagnetic scattering processes. In our previous work, we have identified evidence of higher-order corrections in the total cross-section for the vacuum pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. However, the presence of higher-order QED corrections cannot be unambiguously proven solely based on total cross-section measurements due to substantial experimental and theoretical uncertainties. The objective of this paper is to explore the sensitivity of specific differential observables in the vacuum pair production to higher-order QED effects in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. These investigations will provide guidance in determining the presence or absence of higher-order QED processes by conducting precise measurements in future experiments.

The magnetic dipole transition in Rb-like ion and its core-valence correlation effect

This study presents both experimental and theoretical analysis of the 4d2D5/2→2D3/2 magnetic dipole transition in Rb-like ions. Spectral lines of Xe17+, La20+ and Pr22+ ions were recorded using an electron beam ion trap. The theoretical framework employed the fully relativistic Multi-configuration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method, accounting for the Breit interaction, QED effects and comprehensive core-valence correlation. An impressive correlation is observed between the theoretical and experimental findings. Notably, this study illustrates that the contribution of the core-valence correlation, especially concerning deep core subshells, is pivotal for the fine structure splittings.

Relativistic atomic structure calculations for B-like xenon ion

Excitation energies, transition parameters and lifetimes for 255 levels with n≤ 4 configurations of B-like Xe49+ are calculated using the fully relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac–Hartree–Fock (MCDHF) method. Hyperfine structure constants, isotope shift and Landé gJ factors are computed for the 2s22p,2s2p2 and 2p3 levels. The contribution of the Breit interaction and QED effects, mainly self-energy and vacuum polarization corrections, on these levels is also investigated. The uncertainties in the lifetimes and line strengths are computed, and transitions are classified according to the NIST accuracy nomenclature. A comparison with the previously available results is also carried out. This study provides extensive results for B-like Xe49+, which are useful for plasma diagnosis.

QED corrections to parton distributions and Altarelli–Parisi splitting functions in the polarized case

We discuss the effect of QED corrections in the evolution of polarized parton distributions. We solve the corresponding evolution equations exactly to {mathcal {O}}(alpha ) and {mathcal {O}}(a_{textrm{S}}^2) in Mellin N-space, extending the available techniques for pure QCD evolution. To accomplish this, we introduce, for the first time, the Altarelli–Parisi polarized kernels at LO in QED. Furthermore, we perform a phenomenological analysis of the QED effects on polarized parton distributions (pPDFs), proposing different scenarios for the polarized photon density. Finally, we quantify the impact of the corresponding QED contributions to the polarized structure function g_1. We show that the relative corrections to both the pPDFs and the g_1 structure function are approximately at the few percent level, which is the order of magnitude expected considering the value of alpha .

The influence of relativistic, Breit interaction, and QED effects on the $$1s^{2}2p^{2}$$ and $$2s2p^{3}$$ energy levels of Be-like ($$4\!\le \!Z\!\le \!74$$) isoelectronic sequence

The influence of relativistic, Breit interaction, and QED effects on the $$1s^{2}2p^{2}$$ and $$2s2p^{3}$$ energy levels of Be-like ($$4\!\le \!Z\!\le \!74$$) isoelectronic sequence

Effects of Non-Adiabatic Electromagnetic Vacuum Fluctuations on Internal Conversion.

To explore non-adiabatic effects caused by electromagnetic (EM) vacuum fluctuations in molecules, we develop a general theory of internal conversion (IC) in the framework of quantum electrodynamics and propose a new mechanism, "quantum electrodynamic internal conversion" (QED-IC). The theory allows us to compute the rates of the conventional IC and QED-IC processes at the first-principles level. Our simulations manifest that, under experimentally feasible weak light-matter coupling conditions, EM vacuum fluctuations can significantly affect IC rates by an order of magnitude. Moreover, our theory elucidates three key factors in the QED-IC mechanism: the effective mode volume, coupling-weighted normal mode alignment, and molecular rigidity. The theory successfully captures the nucleus-photon interaction in the factor "coupling-weighted normal mode alignment". In addition, we find that molecular rigidity plays a totally different role in conventional IC versus QED-IC rates. Our study provides applicable design principles for exploiting QED effects on IC processes.

Exciting ions: A systematic treatment of ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions with nuclear breakup

We present an updated theoretical treatment of ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) of heavy ions, within the SuperChic Monte Carlo generator. This in particular accounts for mutual ion excitation through additional photon exchanges between the colliding ions. This effect occurs frequently in UPCs, and indeed can be (and has been) measured in data through the use of zero degree calorimeter (ZDC) detectors installed in the far forward region. The theoretical approach presented here accounts for the non-trivial and non-negligible impact such ion dissociation has on the measured cross sections and distributions of the produced particles in the central detectors. This builds on previous work, whereby the survival factor probability of no additional inelastic ion-ion scattering due to the strong interaction, and its kinematic impact, are also accounted for within the same overall framework. We compare to data from ATLAS and CMS at the LHC, and STAR at RHIC, and find in general encouraging agreement for a range of observables and ZDC neutron tags, with some room for further improvement, suggesting the inclusion of higher order QED effects and/or tuning of the the $\gamma A \to A^*$ cross section may be desirable. Overall, this gives confidence in the approach considered here and for applications to new phenomena within and beyond the Standard Model.

Ab initio calculations of the 2p3/2→2s transition in He-, Li-, and Be-like uranium

The bound-state QED approach is applied to calculations of the $2p_{3/2} \rightarrow 2s$ transition energies in He-, Li-, and Be-like uranium. For U$^{90+}$ and U$^{89+}$, standard perturbation theory for a single level is employed, while the calculations of U$^{88+}$ have required its counterpart for quasidegenerate levels. The utilized approach merges the rigorous QED treatment up to the second order of perturbation theory with the higher-order electron-correlation contributions evaluated within the Breit approximation. The higher-order screened QED effects are estimated by means of the model-QED operator. The nuclear recoil, nuclear polarization, and nuclear deformation effects are taken into account as well. Along with the transition energies, their pairwise differences are calculated. The comprehensive analysis of the uncertainties due to uncalculated effects is carried out, and the most accurate theoretical predictions, which are in perfect agreement with available experimental data, are obtained.

Ground state of superheavy elements with 120≤Z≤170 : Systematic study of the electron-correlation, Breit, and QED effects

For superheavy elements with atomic numbers $120\leq Z \leq 170$, the concept of the ground-state configuration is being reexamined. To this end, relativistic calculations of the electronic structure of the low-lying levels are carried out by means of the Dirac-Fock and configuration-interaction methods.The magnetic and retardation parts of the Breit interaction as well as the QED effects are taken into account. The influence of the relativistic, QED, and electron-electron correlation effects on the determination of the ground-state is analyzed.