On Schwinger mechanism of e+e− pair production from vacuum by the field of optical and X-ray lasers

Abstract

The probability W of e + e − pair production under the action of intensive electric field created by optical or X-ray laser is calculated. Two characteristic regions, γ⪡1, γ⪢1, of adiabaticity parameter γ are considered. It is shown that with γ increase, as well as when turning over from monochromatic radiation to a laser pulse of finite time duration, the probability W sharply increases (at the same field intensity). The dependence of the probability W and of the momentum spectrum of electrons and positrons on the pulse shape is discussed (the dynamical Schwinger effect).