The Schwarz-Hora effect: present-day situation

Abstract

The electron-diffraction pattern at a nonfluorescent target was observed by Schwarz under attempts to modulate an electron beam by laser light. The pattern was of the same color as the laser light. The analysis of the literature shows there are the unresolved up to now significant contradictions between the theory and the Schwarz experiments. To resolve these contradictions, the interpretation of the Schwarz-Hora effect is considered, which is a development of the idea formulated by Schwarz and Hora. It is supposed that the interaction of electrons with the laser field inside a thin dielectric film is accompanied not only by the processes of absorption and stimulated emission of photons but also by formation of some metastable electron states in which the captured photons can be transferred with a following emission at the target.