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Relativistic Quantum Dynamics in Intense Laser Fields

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Progress in Ultrafast Intense Laser Science

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Chemical Physics ((PUILS,volume 91))

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Abstract

We investigate the relativistic dynamics of electrons in intense laser fields. Examples of both free and bound electron dynamics are discussed using the approach appropriate for each particular case, i.e., either classical relativistic mechanics or relativistic quantum mechanics. The algorithm for numerically solving the Dirac equation is explained in detail before showing results that were obtained for both free and bound electronic wave packets in interaction with laser fields. In the case of the former, we discuss Volkov wave packets and point out features such as Lorentz contraction, spin and non-dipole effects. A sevenfold charged oxygen ion in a counterpropagating beam illustrates the latter and demonstrates a method for generating high-energy electron—nucleus collisions. Furthermore, we briefly outline the procedure for solving the classical equations of motion in arbitrary electromagnetic fields. A special field configuration (that of a radially polarized laser beam) is considered as an example. We discuss the fields that result from solving Maxwell's equations and calculate the energy that may be gained by a single electron in interaction with this particular configuration.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany

    Guido R. Mocken & Christoph H. Keitel

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik Heidelberg, Germany Physics Department American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    Yousef I. Salamin

Authors
  1. Guido R. Mocken
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  2. Yousef I. Salamin
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  3. Christoph H. Keitel
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. MPI für Physik komplexer Systeme, Nöthnitzer Str. 38, Dresden, 01187, Germany

    Andreas Becker

  2. Department of Physics and JILA, University of Colorado, 440 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0440, USA

    Andreas Becker

  3. Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O.Box 800-21, Shanghai, 201800, China

    Ruxin Li

  4. Department for Physics Engineering Physics and Optics & Center for Optics Photonics and Laser, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada

    See Leang Chin

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Mocken, G.R., Salamin, Y.I., Keitel, C.H. (2009). Relativistic Quantum Dynamics in Intense Laser Fields. In: Yamanouchi, K., Becker, A., Li, R., Chin, S.L. (eds) Progress in Ultrafast Intense Laser Science. Springer Series in Chemical Physics, vol 91. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69143-3_6

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