In the realm of energy and particle physics, a team of researchers from the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Nizhny Novgorod has been exploring the behavior of unique particles known as vortex particles. These particles, which possess an orbital angular momentum, have intriguing properties that could potentially impact the energy sector, particularly in the field of particle accelerators.
The researchers, led by A. Yu. Murtazin, have been investigating the photon emission by charged spinless particles with phase vortices and an orbital angular momentum (OAM) projection within the framework of scalar Quantum Electrodynamics (QED). Their study, titled “Photon emission by vortex particles accelerated in a linac,” was recently published in the journal Physical Review Accelerators and Beams.
The team developed an effective model to understand how vortex particles lose angular momentum due to photon emission when accelerated by a radio-frequency wave. They found that for the fields typical in accelerator facilities, the effective lifetime of the vortex state greatly exceeds the acceleration time. This means that the acceleration of vortex electrons, ions, muons, and other particles to relativistic energies is feasible in conventional linear accelerators (linacs), as well as in wake-field accelerators with higher field gradients. Moreover, the orbital angular momentum (OAM) losses due to photon emission are mostly negligible, indicating that the vortex quantum state is highly robust against these losses.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are promising. Vortex particles could potentially be used to enhance the performance of particle accelerators, which are crucial tools in various energy-related research areas, including nuclear fusion and high-energy physics. By understanding and mitigating the losses of orbital angular momentum in vortex particles, scientists can develop more efficient and powerful accelerators, leading to advancements in energy production and other related technologies.
In summary, the research conducted by Murtazin and his team sheds light on the behavior of vortex particles in accelerator fields, demonstrating the robustness of their quantum state against photon emission losses. This knowledge could pave the way for improved particle accelerators and, consequently, advancements in the energy sector. The study was published in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams, a reputable journal in the field of accelerator physics.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.