Nonlinear Propagation of Incoherent Photons in a Radiation Background
arXiv:hep-ph/0311103 · doi:10.1016/j.physleta.2004.07.073
Abstract
The nonlinear propagation of intense incoherent photons in a photon gas is considered. The photon-photon interactions are governed by a pair of equations comprising a wave-kinetic equation for the incoherent photons in the presence of the slowly varying energy density perturbations of sound-like waves, and an equation for the latter waves in a background where the photon coupling is caused by quantum electrodynamical effects. The coupled equations are used to derive a dispersion relation, which admits new classes of modulational instabilities of incoherent photons. The present instabilities can lead to fragmentation of broadband short photon pulses in astrophysical and laboratory settings.
arXiv comment4 pages, 2 figures, uses revtex4
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