Electron-positron pair production in strong electric fields, i.e., the Sauter-Schwinger effect, is studied using the real-time Dirac-Heisenberg-Wigner formalism. Hereby, the electric field is modeled to be a homogeneous, single-pulse field with subcritical peak field strength. Momentum spectra are calculated for four different polarizations -linear, elliptic, near-circular elliptic or circular -as well as a number of linear frequency chirps. With details depending on the chosen polarization the frequency chirps lead to strong interference effects and thus quite substantial changes in the momentum spectra. The resulting produced pairs' number densities depend non-linearly on the parameter characterizing the polarization and are very sensitive to variations of the chirp parameter. For some of the investigated frequency chirps this can provide an enhancement of the number density by three to four orders of magnitude.

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Using the Dirac–Heisenberg–Wigner formalism, effects of the asymmetric pulse shape on the generation of electron-positron pairs in three typical polarized fields, i.e., linear, middle elliptical and circular fields, are investigated. Two kinds of asymmetries for the falling pulse length, short and elongated, are studied. We find that the interference effect disappears with the shorter pulse length and that the peak value of the momentum spectrum is concentrated in the center of the momentum space. In the case of the extending falling pulse length, a multiring structure without interference appears in the momentum spectrum. Research results show that the momentum spectrum is very sensitive to the asymmetry of the pulse as well as to the polarization of the fields. We also find that the number density of electron-positron pairs under different polarizations is sensitive to the asymmetry of the electric field. For the short falling pulse, the number density can be significantly enhanced by over two orders of magnitude. These results could be useful in planning high-power and/or high-intensity laser experiments.

Using the Dirac-Heisenberg-Wigner (DHW) formalism, effects of asymmetric pulse shape on the generation of electron-positron pairs in three typical polarized fields, i.e., the linear, middle elliptical and circular ones, are investigated. Two kinds of asymmetries for the falling pulse length, one is compressed and the other is elongated, are studied. It is found that the interference effect disappears with the compression of the pulse length, and finally the peak value of the momentum spectrum is concentrated in the center of the momentum space. For the opposite situation by extending the falling pulse length, a multi-ring structure without interference appears in the momentum spectrum. Research results exhibit that the momentum spectrum is very sensitive to the asymmetry of the pulse as well as to the polarization of the fields. It is also found that the number density of electron-positron pairs under different polarizations is sensitive to the asymmetry of electric field. For the compressed falling pulse, the number density can be enhanced significantly over 2 orders of magnitude. These results could be useful in planning high power or/and high-intensity laser experiments.