Radiation Reaction at Extreme Intensity

The radiation reaction force is examined for an idealized short pulse ofelectromagnetic radiation and for a plane wave. Exact solutions (without radiation reaction)are discussed, the total radiated power is calculated. A new and simpler approach to theapproximate form of the equation of motion is presented that automatically removes the runawaysolutions. Finally, analytical solutions are presented for the equations of motion that includethe radiation reaction forces in the very high intensity regime. A classical scattering angle isdeˉned and it shows that the electron is scattered in a small cone in the forward direction. Theradiation reaction corrections to this angle are also considered.