Laser Channeling of Bethe-Heitler Pairs

Electron-positron pair creation is analyzed for an arrangement involving three external fields: a high-frequency gamma photon, the Coulomb field of a nucleus, and a strong laser wave. The frequency of the incoming gamma photon is assumed to be larger than the threshold for pair production in the absence of a laser, and the peak electric field of the laser is assumed to be much weaker than Schwinger’s critical field. The total number of pairs produced is found to be essentially unchanged by the laser field, while the differential cross section is drastically modified. We show that the laser can channel the angular distribution of electron-positron pairs into a narrow angular region, which also facilitates experimental observation.