Equivalent charge of photons in a very dense quantum plasma

Abstract

The equivalent charge of photons in dense unmagnetized and magnetized Fermi plasmas is determined through the plasma physics method. This charge is associated with the polarization of the medium caused by the ponderomotive force of the electromagnetic waves. Relations for the coupling between the electron plasma density perturbation and the radiation fields are derived for unmagnetized and magnetized plasmas, taking into account the quantum force associated with the quantum Bohm potential in dense Fermi plasmas. The effective photon charge is then determined. The effects of the ion motion are also included in the investigation. © 2007 Cambridge University Press.