Distribution of Free Electrons Ejected Out the Side a Laser Focus at Relativistic Intensities*

At laser intensities of 10$^{\mathrm{18}}$ W/cm$^{\mathrm{2}}$, electrons are quickly ionized from atoms and oscillate relativistically. Strong field gradients within a tight laser focus propel these free electrons out the side of the focus. Malka et al. observed that electrons have a strong tendency to be ejected along the direction of the laser polarization. Quesnel and Mora argued that these results must be in error. They developed a theoretical model that contradicted Malka et al. Our theoretical analysis supports the results of Malka et al. and we are setting up an experiment to test these conclusions.