Field quantization in a plasma: Photon mass and charge

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2000

Authors

Mendonca, JT (Author) Other; Martins, AM (Author) Other; Guerreiro, A (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

Vol. 62

Pages: 2989-2991

ISSN: 1539-3755

Publisher: American Physical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 28 Citations

Scopus - 28 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Physical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-ZEN

DOI: 10.1103/physreve.62.2989

Abstract (EN): It is shown here that st straightforward procedure can be used to quantize the linearized equations for an electromagnetic field in a plasma. This leads to a definition of an effective mass for the transverse photons, and a different one far the longitudinal photons, or plasmons. Both masses are simply proportional to the electron plasma density. A nonlinear perturbative analysis can also be used to extend the quantization procedure, in order to include the ponderomotive force effects. This leads to the definition of a photon charge operator. The mean value of this operator, for a quantum state with a photon occupation number equal to 1, is the equivalent charge of the photon in a plasma.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific