Thursday, October 18, 2018, 16:00
OSGA/EG06
Anton Ilderton, Plymouth University
Abstract:
Strong electromagnetic fields are found around astrophysical objects
such as magnetars, in the collision point of particle colliders, and in
intense laser-matter interactions.
The interaction of strong fields with matter is, by definition,
characterised by a coupling constant larger than unity. This implies a
theoretical challenge, as such interactions must be treated
non-perturbatively. The payoff is of course that by using strong
electromagnetic fields, such as those produced by modern lasers, we can
access non-perturbative physical phenomena.
In this talk, I will review theoretical results and experimental
prospects in "strong field QED". I will explain how collisions between
particles and ultra-intense laser light can give us access to phenomena
such as electromagnetic cascades, Sauter-Schwinger pair creation, and
the birefringence of the quantum vacuum.