The propagation of linear waves in quantum magnetoplasmas with vacuum polarization effects

Jun Zhu - Jingru Fan

School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China

Abstract
The vacuum polarization effect may be induced by a strong field and coupled with the plasma process to modify known physical phenomena. In this paper, we present a theoretical investigation on the propagation of linear waves in quantum magnetoplasmas with vacuum polarization effects. Based on the Maxwell equations modified by QED vacuum polarization effects and on the quantum magnetohydrodynamic models in which the Bohm potential and the relativistic degeneracy pressure are taken into account, the dispersion relations for electron plasmas waves, upper hybrid wave, left-handed wave (L wave), right-handed wave (R wave) and extraordinary wave (X wave) in quantum magnetoplasmas are derived, respectively. Theoretical and numerical analysis show that quantum effects and vacuum polarization effect have significant influence on the propagation of linear waves. It is also confirmed that the pulsar magnetosphere is a real physical environment in which quantum effects and vacuum polarization effects need to be considered. Figs 4, Refs 27.