Strongly enhanced pair production in combined high- and low-frequency laser fields

Abstract

Production of electron-positron pairs by a high-energy probe photon propagating through a high-intensity laser field is considered in the nonperturbative interaction regime. The laser field consists of a strong low-frequency and a weak high-frequency component. While for each component alone photoproduction of pairs is strongly suppressed, we show that their combination can largely amplify the pair production probability by facilitating to bridge the energetic barrier of the process. Our predictions can be tested by utilizing presently available high-intensity laser devices.