Abstract
We apply worldline methods to the study of vacuum polarization effects in plane wave backgrounds, in both scalar and spinor QED. We calculate helicity-flip probabilities to one loop order and treated exactly in the background field, and provide a toolkit of methods for use in investigations of higher-order processes. We also discuss the connections between the worldline, S-matrix, and lightfront approaches to vacuum polarization effects.
DOI
10.1103/PhysRevD.93.085006
Publication Date
2016-04-05
Publication Title
Physical Review D
Volume
93
Issue
8
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
ISSN
2470-0029
Embargo Period
2024-11-22
Recommended Citation
Ilderton, A., & Torgrimsson, G. (2016) 'Worldline approach to helicity flip in plane waves', Physical Review D, 93(8). American Physical Society (APS): Available at: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.93.085006