Classical relativistic dynamics of a free electron in an intense laser field

Abstract

We present a classical analytical investigation of the dynamics of a relativistic electron in a super-intense, ultra-short laser pulse. The set of equations used in this study were obtained from a Hamilton–Jacobi formulation. Motion, in vacuum, of a free electron, in a linearly polarized laser pulse is discussed and the recent related results of Hartemann et al. are confirmed and extended to other possible initial conditions on the direction of motion of the electron.