New low-frequency nonlinear electromagnetic wave in a magnetized plasma

Abstract

A new nonlinear electromagnetic wave mode in a magnetized plasma is predicted. Its existence depends on the interaction of an intense circularly polarized electromagnetic wave with a plasma, where quantum electrodynamical photon--photon scattering is taken into account. This scattering gives rise to a new coupling between the matter and the radiation. Specifically, we consider an electron--positron plasma, and show that the propagation of the new mode is admitted. It could be of significance in pulsar magnetospheres, and result in energy transport between the pulsar poles.

8 pages, 3 figures, version to appear in Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion