ILP Theory Unit

Creation of Electron-Positron Pairs by Strong Forces

We study how a very intense force field can break down the vacuum and creation matter in form of electron-positron pairs. In order to be able to simulate on a computer the birth process of matter, we developed computational quantum field theory, which can be solved on a space-time lattice for simplified model systems. The first findings have helped to resolve several interpretational controversies that are typically associated with negative energy eigenstates. These phenomena include the famous Klein paradox, the Zitterbewegung and the localization problem of a relativistic particle.

Selected Publications

"Time dilation in relativistic two-particle interactions"
B.T. Shields, M.C. Morris, M.R. Ware, Q. Su, E.V. Stefanovich and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A (in press).

"Introductory review on quantum field theory with space-time resolution"
T. Cheng, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Contemp. Phys. 51, 315 (2010).

"Creation of multiple electron-positron pairs in arbitrary fields"
T. Cheng, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 80, 013410 (2009).

"The cascade model for multiple-pair creation in strong fields"
T. Cheng, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 19, 1735 (2009).

"Charge density of the fermionic vacuum"
T. Cheng, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 19, 208 (2009).

"Breakdown of the vacuum induced by arbitrary external fields"
T. Cheng, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Europhys. Lett. 86, 13001 (2009).

"Vacuum induced oscillations in the charge density of distinguishable fermions"
T. Cheng, C.C. Gerry, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Europhys. Lett. 84, 50004 (2008). featured in EuroPhys. News 40, 15 (2009).

"Interference in electron-positron creation"
T. Cheng, N.I. Chott, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 18, 190 (2008).

"Locality in the creation of electron-positron pairs"
T. Cheng, S.P. Bowen, C.C. Gerry, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 77, 032106 (2008).

"Classical-quantum correspondence in pair creation"
N.I. Chott, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 76, 010101 (R) (2007).

"Oscillatory pair-creation probabilities in time-dependent subcritical forces"
Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 17, 92-97 (2007).

"Unitary and non-unitary approaches in quantum field theory"
K.D. Lamb, C.C. Gerry, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 75, 013425 1-9 (2007).

"Timing of pair-production in time-dependent force fields"
C.C. Gerry, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 74, 044103 1-4 (2006).

"Interpretational difficulties in quantum field theory"
P. Krekora, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 73, 022114 1-9 (2006).

"Early time errants during the field-induced pair creation"
P. Krekora, K. Cooley, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 16, 588-593 (2006).

"The Klein paradox with spin resolved electrons and positrons"
P. Krekora, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. A 72, 064103 1-4 (2005).

"Computer simulations of reduced dimensional systems"
Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 15, 1381-1388 (2005).

"Creation dynamics of bound states in supercritical fields"
P. Krekora, K. Cooley, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 070403 (2005).

"Short- and long-time breakdown of the vacuum by supercritical fields"
P. Krekora, K. Cooley, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Las. Phys. 15, 282-287 (2005).

"Entanglement for pair production on the zeptosecond scale"
P. Krekora, Q. Su and R. Grobe, J. Mod. Opt. 52, 489-504 (2005).

"Transitions into the negative energy Dirac continuum"
P. Krekora, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phy. Rev. A 70, 054101 1-4 (2004).

"Relativistic electron localization and the lack of Zitterbewegung"
P. Krekora, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 043004 1-4 (2004).

"The Klein paradox in spatial and temporal resolution"
P. Krekora, Q. Su and R. Grobe, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 040406 1-4 (2004).

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