Based on quantum theory, we investigate the distribution of the electrons scattered in the nonlinear Compton effect by an electromagnetic plane wave. The monochromatic case, examined in detail, reveals features of the electron distribution that are useful in the understanding of the pulsed plane-wave case for particular intensity and electron energy regimes. The graphs displayed focus on the case of a head-on or nearly head-on collision of an energetic electron with an electromagnetic circularly polarized pulsed plane wave and show that the deviation in direction is extremely small, while the distribution in energy can be visibly different from that of the initial electron. Two pulse shapes, several laser intensities, and high incident electron energies are considered.

• Received 15 March 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.013414