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A new approximation for the high magnetic field Compton cross-section

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Abstract

A midly relativistic quantum-mechanical treatment of the Compton scattering cross-section in a strong magnetic field regime appropriate to observed electron temperature and field strengths in a neutron star magnetosphere is provided. The approximations used in the evaluation of the electron propagator are different from those employed previously and lead finally to simpler and more usable expressions for the cross-section.

Various conceptual difficulties with the quantum cyclotron line mechanism are also discussed and the problem of the translational invariance of the Hamiltonian commonly used is addressed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, England

    R. Lieu

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  1. R. Lieu
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Lieu, R. A new approximation for the high magnetic field Compton cross-section. Astrophys Space Sci 73, 481–498 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00642425

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00642425

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