Hamiltonian formulation of direct laser acceleration in vacuum

We present a new formulation for the direct laser acceleration of electrons in vacuum based on the Hamiltonian theory. Two different regimes for the snow-plowed, accelerated electrons are identified and characterized, the first pertaining to high-intensity and the second to low-intensity pulses, both leading to efficient electron acceleration. Particle energy yields are shown to be independent of the exact shape of the laser pulse and energy gains are estimated.