Abstract:
The problem of scattering of ultrarelativistic electrons by a strong
plane electromagnetic wave of a low (optical) frequency and linear polarization
is solved in the semiclassical approximation, when the electron wave packet size
is much smaller than the wavelength of electromagnetic wave. The exit momenta of
ultrarelativistic electrons scattered are found using the exact solutions to the
equations of motion with radiation reaction included (the Landau–Lifshitz
equation). It is found that the momentum components of electrons traversed the
electromagnetic wave depend weakly on the initial values of momenta. These
electrons are mostly scattered at small angles to the propagation direction of
the electromagnetic wave. The maximum Lorentz factor of electrons crossed the
electromagnetic wave is proportional to the work done by the electromagnetic
field and is independent of the initial momentum. The momentum component
parallel to the electric field vector of the electromagnetic wave is determined
solely by the laser beam diameter measured in the units of the classical
electron radius. As for the reflected electrons, they for the most part lose the
energy, but remain relativistic. A reflection law that relates the incident and
reflection angles and is independent of any parameters is found.
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