Bragg scattering of light in vacuum structured by strong periodic fields

TL;DR

This paper explores how strong, spatially modulated electromagnetic fields can induce Bragg scattering of light in vacuum, potentially enabling detection of vacuum polarization effects with future high-intensity laser setups.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to enhance vacuum polarization detection using Bragg interference in structured vacuum regions created by super-strong laser fields.

Findings

Bragg scattering concentrates scattered light in specific directions.

Interference maxima are significantly enhanced compared to standard vacuum polarization.

Potential application in future high-intensity laser experiments for vacuum polarization detection.

Abstract

Elastic scattering of laser radiation due to vacuum polarization by spatially modulated strong electromagnetic fields is considered. The Bragg interference arising at a specific impinging direction of the probe wave concentrates the scattered light in specular directions. The interference maxima are enhanced with respect to the usual vacuum polarization effect proportional to the square of the number of modulation periods within the interaction region. The Bragg scattering can be employed to detect the vacuum polarization effect in a setup of multiple crossed super-strong laser beams with parameters envisaged in the future Extreme Light Infrastructure.