Pair production in laser fields: finite size effects

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the finite size and geometry of laser fields influence pair production, revealing resonance and diffraction effects through a lightfront field theory approach that interprets the process as multi-photon creation of effective mass pairs.

Contribution

It introduces a lightfront field theory framework to analyze finite size effects in laser-induced pair production, highlighting the role of laser geometry in the process.

Findings

Resonance effects in pair production spectra due to laser geometry

Diffraction effects arising from finite laser size

Lightfront momentum transfer explains multi-photon pair creation with effective mass

Abstract

We discuss pair creation in a strong laser background. Using lightfront field theory, we show that all the physics is contained in the lightfront momentum transfer from the laser, and probe, to the produced pair. The dependence of this momentum transfer on the geometry of the laser leads to resonance and diffraction effects in pair production spectra. The lightfront approach naturally explains the interpretation of laser-stimulated pair production as a multi-photon process creating pairs of an effective mass.