arXiv · 2501.06109
Scattering with total depletion in strong, focussed fields
Abstract
Theoretical approaches to QED scattering in strong fields typically treat the field as a fixed background with simple spacetime dependence, such as a plane wave. Two major challenges are therefore the inclusion of backreaction (e.g. depletion of the field) and spatial geometry (e.g. focussing). We show here that a solution to one problem can solve the other: even if particle wavefunctions in a chosen focussed background are not known, we show they can be constructed once depletion is accounted for. We demonstrate this by giving the exact wavefunctions in a flying focus beam for which all energy is absorbed by particles scattering on it. In addition we use the wavefunctions to obtain a simple expression for the nonlinear Compton scattering amplitude, comparing with the plane wave case. Our methods thus open a new avenue of investigation in which two previously challenging effects are simultaneously brought under analytic control.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Tim Adamo, Anton Ilderton. 2025-01-10. Scattering with total depletion in strong, focussed fields. https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.06109
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.