Author:
Gao J,Bagayoko D,Guo D -S
Abstract
Using classical mechanics and classical field theory, we confirm that the ponderomotive momentum exists as a counterpart of the ponderomotive energy to form the ponderomotive four-momentum when an electron interacts with a light plane wave. As a solution to the equations of motion, a time-dependent four-momentum on the electron (rest) mass shell is obtained in a coordinate-free form. By taking out the quiver motion, we find that the nonoscillating part of the four-momentum is not on the electron mass shell. We show mathematically that the decomposition of the nonoscillating four-momentum into an on-mass-shell four-momentum and a lightlike four-momentum along the light-propagation direction is unique. The time-component of the lightlike four-momentum is exactly the ponderomotive energy, while the space-component is the ponderomotive momentum. We discuss the critical role of the ponderomotive four-momentum in lightelectron scattering processes due to the lightlike property and the uniqueness of the decomposition of a four-momentum. Two pieces of experimental evidence of the ponderomotive momentum are identified in the discussion. PACS No. 32.80Rm
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy
Cited by
6 articles.
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