Space-time localization of the radiation emitted by an electromagnetically driven charge and the question of the position of an electron

Abstract

We study the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by a free charge driven by a strong laser field in the proximity of a stationary scattering centre that acts as an accelerating third body. We show that under the most general conditions the radiation is emitted close to the scatterer and during a welldefined time interval. Thus it should be possible, at least in principle, to determine the position of the electron by observing the radiation that it is emitting.