Pulse shape effects on the electron-positron pair production in strong laser fields

Abstract

The pair-production process in the presence of strong linearly polarized laser fields with a subcycle structure is considered. Laser pulses with different envelope shapes are examined by means of a nonperturbative numerical technique. We analyze two different "flat" envelope shapes and two shapes without a plateau for their various parameters including the carrier-envelope phase. The resonant Rabi oscillations, momentum distribution of particles created, and total number of pairs are studied. It is demonstrated that all these characteristics are very sensitive to the pulse shape.