Arbitrary-Velocity Volkov Wavepackets
Quantum Physics
2026-04-14 v1 High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Abstract
The evolution of a charged lepton in the field of an electromagnetic plane wave can be described as a superposition of Volkov states. Here we demonstrate that imposing specific momentum correlations among Volkov states produces a spatiotemporally structured wavepacket whose probability-density peak travels at an arbitrary, tailored velocity. This velocity can be chosen independently of both the field amplitude and the velocity expectation value. The imposed momentum correlations modify the expectation-value trajectory, providing a measurable signature of the arbitrary velocity within a physical observable.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2604.11503,
title = {Arbitrary-Velocity Volkov Wavepackets},
author = {D. Ramsey and J. McKeown and J. P. Palastro},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.11503},
year = {2026}
}