CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

Electrodynamics in a Strong Magnetic Field

Citation

Rassbach, Michael Eric (1971) Electrodynamics in a Strong Magnetic Field. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/74E0-YF33. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06112018-122124640

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the electrodynamic phenomena which can occur in strong magnetic fields (on the order of 4.41x1013 gauss). These phenomena are studied by means of a perturbation formalism, developed here to be exact to all orders in the field strength, and which is closely analogous to the diagrammatic formalism of empty-space electrodynamics. Using this method, the rate for pair production by single photons is calculated, as well as an approximation to it. The index of refraction of the strong field region is also calculated, as is the low-frequency photon splitting amplitude. In addition, this thesis studies some phenomena occurring at very high field strengths, in particular the energy of the ground state to first order in the fine-structure constant, and the counter-intuitive non annihilating states. Numerical calculations are made where relevant.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Physics; Engineering Science
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Mathews, Jon
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:24 May 1971
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSF Graduate Research FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
Gulf General Atomic FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:06112018-122124640
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06112018-122124640
DOI:10.7907/74E0-YF33
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:11067
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:20 Jun 2018 21:26
Last Modified:21 Dec 2019 02:09

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

25MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page