Quantized synchrotron radiation in strong magnetic fields

Spectra from electrons making synchrotron transitions in high magnetic fields are calculated using the exact quantum transition rates for Landau states up to n = 500, and the results are compared with spectra calculated from the classical formula and the asymptotic quantum formula. The behavior of the transition rates are examined at low and high harmonics as a function of the spin state of the electron. The calculations confirm those of Herold, Ruder, and Wunner (1982) for low Landau states, extending them to higher states and individual spin state transitions. The results also confirm the dominance of ground-state transitions at high field strengths noted by White (1976). Single particle emissivities for electrons with both spin-up and spin-down in the initial state are calculated using these transition rates. Spectra for thermal electron distributions at transrelativistic temperatures and for steady state injection of monoenergetic electrons with isotropic pitch angles are also presented.