Generation of high order harmonics in Heisenberg-Euler electrodynamics

Abstract

High order harmonic generation by extremely intense, interacting, electromagnetic waves in the quantum vacuum is investigated within the framework of the Heisenberg-Euler formalism. Two intersecting plane waves of finite duration are considered in the case of general polarizations. Detailed finite expressions are obtained for the case where only the first Poincaré invariant does not vanish. Yields of high harmonics in this case are most effective.