Magnetic two-photon scattering and two-photon emission: Cross sections and redistribution functions

S. G. Alexander, P. Mészáros

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

We discuss the magnetic two-photon scattering cross section within the framework of quantum electrodynamics, and calculate explicitly the corresponding scattering redistribution function for this process and its inverse, as well as the scattering source function. We calculate in a similar way the magnetic two-photon emission process which follows the radiative excitation of Landau levels above ground. The two-photon scattering and two-photon emission are of the same order as the single-photon magnetic scattering. All three of these processes, and in optically thick cases also their inverses, are included in radiative transport calculations modeling accreting pulsars and gamma-ray bursters. These processes play a prominent role in determining the relative strength of the first two cyclotron harmonics, and their effects extend also to the higher harmonics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)554-564
Number of pages11
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume372
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 1991

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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