Quantum Kinetic Theory for Laser Plasmas. Dynamical Screening in Strong Fields

Abstract

A quantum kinetic theory for correlated charged-particle systems in strong time-dependent electromagnetic fields is developed. Our approach is based on a systematic gauge-invariant nonequilibrium Green's functions formulation. Extending our previous analysis (Kremp et al., Phys. Rev. E vol. 60, p. 4725 (1999) we concentrate on the selfconsistent treatment of dynamical screening and electromagnetic fields which is applicable to arbitrary nonequilibrium situations. The resulting kinetic equation generalizes previous results to quantum plasmas with full dynamical screening and includes many-body effects. It is, in particular, applicable to the interaction of dense plasmas with strong electromagnetic fields, including laser fields and x-rays. Furthermore, results for the modification of the plasma screening and the longitudinal field fluctuations due to the electromagnetic field are presented.