Radiative spin polarization of electrons in an ultrastrong magnetic field

van Kruining, K., Mackenroth, F. and Götte, J. B. (2019) Radiative spin polarization of electrons in an ultrastrong magnetic field. Physical Review D, 100(5), 056014. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevD.100.056014)

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Abstract

We calculate the spin flip rates for an electron in a homogeneous magnetic field for low excitations (N ≤ 5). Our results apply for all field strengths including those beyond the critical field strength at which the spin contributes as much to the electron’s energy as its rest mass. Existing approximations either assume that the electron is in a sufficiently highly excited state such that its orbit can be assumed to be classical or the magnetic field be weak compared to the critical field. The regime of high mangetic field strength and low excitations is therefore poorly covered by them. By comparing our calculations to different approximations, we find that in the high field, low excitation regime the spin flip rates are lower and the equilibrium spin polarization is less pure then one would get by naively applying existing approximations in this regime.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Spin polarisation, strong field, magnetic field, electrons.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Goette, Dr Joerg
Authors: van Kruining, K., Mackenroth, F., and Götte, J. B.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Group:Quantum Theory
Journal Name:Physical Review D
Journal Abbr.:PRD
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:2470-0010
ISSN (Online):2470-0029
Published Online:20 September 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review D 100(5):056014
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license
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