Physics – Plasma Physics
Scientific paper
2007-07-22
Phys.Rev.Lett. 99 (2007) 125003
Physics
Plasma Physics
4 pages, 3 figures, Phys. Rev. Lett., to appear
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.125003
Starting from a nonequilibrium configuration we analyse the essential role of the direct and the inverse binary and triple interactions in reaching an asymptotic thermal equilibrium in a homogeneous isotropic electron-positron-photon plasma. We focus on energies in the range 0.1--10 MeV. We numerically integrate the integro-partial differential relativistic Boltzmann equation with the exact QED collisional integrals taking into account all binary and triple interactions in the plasma. We show that first, when detailed balance is reached for all binary interactions on a timescale $t_{k}\lesssim10^{-14}$sec, photons and electron-positron pairs establish kinetic equilibrium. Successively, when triple interactions fulfill the detailed balance on a timescale $t_{eq}\lesssim10^{-12}$sec, the plasma reaches thermal equilibrium. It is shown that neglecting the inverse triple interactions prevents reaching thermal equilibrium. Our results obtained in the theoretical physics domain also find application in astrophysics and cosmology.
Aksenov Alexey G.
Ruffini Remo
Vereshchagin Gregory V.
No associations
LandOfFree
Thermalization of a nonequilibrium electron-positron-photon plasma does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Thermalization of a nonequilibrium electron-positron-photon plasma, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermalization of a nonequilibrium electron-positron-photon plasma will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-434020