Coherent quantum enhancement of pair production in the null domain

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how coherent quantum interference can be used to control electron-positron pair production using tailored ultra-short laser pulses, revealing quantum effects in a null domain setup.

Contribution

It provides an exactly solvable model showing quantum interference effects in pair creation with null domain laser pulses, enabling control over quantum and classical signatures.

Findings

Control of pair production spectra via pulse shaping

Observation of quantum interference effects in null domain

Distinct features from time domain double-slit experiments

Abstract

We present an exactly solvable example of coherent quantum interference effects in the creation of electron-positron pairs from the collision of a photon with ultra-short laser pulses. Being characterised entirely by null, or lightlike, directions, this setup realises an all-optical double-slit in the "null" domain, and exhibits features both in common with, and distinct from, a time domain double-slit (Ramsey interferometer). We show that by tailoring the order and amplitude of the pulses one can control signatures of both quantum and classical physics in the produced positron spectrum.