Possibility of generating high-energy photons by ultrarelativistic electrons in the field of a terawatt laser and in crystals

It is found that the spectral characteristics of relativistic electrons moving in the field of a terawatt laser and through static transverse fields differ significantly. It is shown that, as applied to studying the nonlinear generation of higher harmonics and quantum recoil and spin effects upon hard photon emission, the Baier-Katkov method has advantages over other methods. Numerical data for the efficiency of hard photon generation in the field of terawatt lasers and in oriented crystals are reported. (C) 2002 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".