Non-Markovian effects in strong-field pair creation - art. no. 094005

We analyze a quantum kinetic equation describing both boson and fermion pai r production and explore analytically and numerically the solution of the n on-Markovian kinetic equation. In the low density limit of the kinetic equa tion we find an analytical solution for the single particle distribution fu nction of bosons and fermions. The numerical investigation for a homogeneou s, constant electric field shows an enhancement (bosons) or a suppression ( fermions) of the pair creation rate according to the symmetry character of the produced particles. For strong fields non-Markovian effects are importa nt while they disappear for weak fields. Hence it is sufficient to apply th e low density limit for weak fields but necessary to take into account memo ry effects for strong fields. [S0556-2821(99)04607-X].