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A gamma ray laser based on induced annihilation of electron-positron pairs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

A. Loeb
Affiliation:
Plasma Physics Department, Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Yavne 70600, Israel
S. Eliezer
Affiliation:
Plasma Physics Department, Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Yavne 70600, Israel

Abstract

In this paper we propose the coherent amplification of gamma radiation of a system of parapositronium atoms. The nonlinear optics of positronium media is suggested. The induced annihilation transitions for the electron-positron plasma are compared with those of the positronium medium. It is suggested in this paper that the Bose–Einstein condensation could play a crucial role in the estimation of the induced annihilation of electron-positron pairs for dense (n ≳ 1016cm−3) and cold (T ≲ 104 °K) positronium systems. The calculated effects of the induced positron-electron decays might be observed in astrophysical objects such as pulsars, white dwarf stars etc. Furthermore, these transitions might play an important role in Klein–Alfven cosmology. Finally, with the further advancement of the positron technology, a gamma ray laser may be constructed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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