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BIREFRINGENCE OF VACUUM IN THE PRESENCE OF A COUNTERPROPAGATING ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

Department of Physics, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002, India

M. N. Saha Centre of Space Studies, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002, India

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and

PRAMILA SHUKLA

Department of Physics, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002, India

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https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217979207037430Cited by:1 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

We show, both semi-classically as well as quantum–mechanically that the vacuum becomes birefringent in the presence of a counterpropagating light beam. For the KJ laser energy, this effect is not observable. However, with several Mega joule laser pulses, this effect will be detectable.

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PACS: 50.-p, 42.65.-k, 11.10.Lm