Quantum electrodynamical modes in pair plasmas

Abstract

We predict the existence of new nonlinear electromagnetic wave modes in pair plasmas. The plasma may be either non-magnetized or immersed in an external magnetic field. The existence of these modes depends on the interaction of an intense circularly polarized electromagnetic wave with a plasma, where the nonlinear quantum vacuum effects are taken into account. This gives rise to new couplings between matter and radiation. We focus on pair plasmas, since the new modes are expected to exist in highly energetic environments, such as pulsar magnetospheres and the next generation of laser--plasma systems.