Pair production in laser fields: finite size effects

Abstract

We discuss pair creation in a strong laser background. Using lightfront field theory, we show that all the physics is contained in the lightfront momentum transfer from the laser, and probe, to the produced pair. The dependence of this momentum transfer on the geometry of the laser leads to resonance and diffraction effects in pair production spectra. The lightfront approach naturally explains the interpretation of laser-stimulated pair production as a multi-photon process creating pairs of an effective mass.