Collapse-and-revival dynamics of strongly laser-driven electrons

TL;DR

This paper explores the complex spin dynamics of electrons in intense laser fields, revealing collapse and revival phenomena analogous to atomic systems, with potential implications for high-intensity laser physics.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of collapse and revival phenomena in the spin evolution of electrons driven by intense lasers, extending quantum electrodynamics understanding.

Findings

Identification of a second time scale in spin dynamics

Conditions for collapse and revival phenomena at high laser intensities

Analysis applicable to feasible laser intensities around 10^18 W/cm^2

Abstract

The relativistic quantum dynamics of an electron in an intense single-mode quantized electromagnetic field is investigated with special emphasis on the spin degree of freedom. In addition to fast spin oscillations at the laser frequency, a second time scale is identified due to the intensity dependent emissions and absorptions of field quanta. In analogy to the well-known phenomenon in atoms at moderate laser intensity, we put forward the conditions of collapses and revivals for the spin evolution in laser-driven electrons starting at feasible $10^{18}$ W/cm$^2$.