Complete QED theory of multiphoton trident pair production in strong laser fields

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive QED-based theoretical framework for multiphoton trident pair production in strong laser fields, providing detailed predictions for rates and spectra relevant to upcoming high-intensity laser experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a nonperturbative QED approach to calculate pair production in strong laser fields, extending understanding beyond previous perturbative models.

Findings

Calculated total production rates and positron spectra.

Identified dominant reaction channels in various regimes.

Provided insights applicable to future laser experiments.

Abstract

Electron-positron pair creation by multiphoton absorption in the collision of a relativistic electron with a strong laser beam is calculated within laser-dressed quantum electrodynamics. Total production rates, positron spectra, and relative contributions of different reaction channels are obtained in various interaction regimes. We study the process in a manifestly nonperturbative domain which is shown accessible to future experiments utilizing the electron beamlines at novel x-ray laser facilities or all-optical setups based on laser acceleration. Our theory moreover allows us to add further insights into the experimental data from SLAC [D. Burke {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 79}, 1626 (1997)].