The intensity dependent mass shift: existence, universality and detection

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electron mass shift in laser fields, demonstrating its dependence on pulse shaping, and shows that detecting this effect in experiments is feasible with current technology.

Contribution

It reveals that the electron mass shift is not universal and can be controlled by pulse shaping, providing practical methods for experimental detection.

Findings

Mass shift exists in laser pulses but is not universal.

Pulse shaping can reduce the mass shift.

Detection of mass shift is feasible with current technology.

Abstract

The electron mass shift in a laser field has long remained an elusive concept. We show that the mass shift can exist in pulses but that it is neither unique nor universal: it can be reduced by pulse shaping. We show also that the detection of mass shift effects in laser-particle scattering experiments is feasible with current technology, even allowing for the transverse structure of realistic beams.