Quantum electrodynamics vacuum polarization modification of photon acceleration in plasma

The modification of photon frequency shifting based on taking into account the nonlinear quantum electrodynamics vacuum properties in plasma is studied. Motion equations of a laser field propagating in a plasma are derived from the Heisenberg–Euler Lagrangian density. It is found that besides the classical density perturbation of the plasma electrons, the energy density perturbation of the laser field will induce the frequency shifting via the ponderomotive force of the laser field on the vacuum. In addition it is shown that the electron density will be suppressed, which is attributed to a screening effect on the plasma electrons via the quantum vacuum polarization.