Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 9: Theory and Modelling I

P 9.4: Talk

Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 15:40–15:55, b305

Classical dynamics of energetic spin one half particle in strong electromagnetic fields — •Meng Wen, Heiko Bauke, and Christoph H. Keitel — Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

The development of the ultra intense lasers facilitates the study of the dynamics of energetic electrons in strong fields. The electron dynamics include the precession of spin as well as the electron’s orbital motion, which is determined the Lorentz force and a spin-dependent Stern-Gerlach force. Theoretical models, however, often neglect the electron’s spin degree of freedom, not only due to the smallness of spin effects, but also because of the lack of a definite classical description of it. Although many classical models to include the spin have been proposed, the validity of these were seldom investigated. Under this motivation, we investigate the reliability of different models by applying them to electrons in specific strong-field setups [1]. Discrepancies in different classical models result mainly due to different relativistic generalizations of the Stern-Gerlach force, which leads to conflicting spin effects in electron trajectories. Numerical comparisons of these classical models to the Dirac theory are performed and an experimental evaluation is proposed. Finally, a reliable classical model is suggested for future descriptions of relativistic laser-driven electrons.