Elastic scattering from a Yukawa potential in intense, high-frequency laser fields

Abstract

We explore electron-neutron atom elastic scattering in the presence of an intense, high-frequency laser field, linearly polarized. The atom is modelled by a short range Yukawa potential. The collision is studied within a recent theory, specifically developed for such circumstances. According to it the laser modified elastic scattering is taking place from a static, “dressed” potential. The latter is approximated here by its spherical average so that a phase shift analysis can be applied. We analyze the departure from the pure Yukawa scattering as a function of the electron energy, laser parameters, and exponential screening parameter. The departure is shown to be dramatic for laser parameters presently accessible in experiment.