Photon splitting in a laser field

Photon splitting due to vacuum polarization in a laser field is considered. Using an operator technique, we derive the amplitudes for arbitrary strength, spectral content, and polarization of the laser field. The case of a monochromatic circularly polarized laser field is studied in detail, and the amplitudes are obtained as threefold integrals. The asymptotic behavior of the amplitudes for various limits of interest is investigated also in the case of a linearly polarized laser field. Using the results obtained, the possibility of experimental observation of the process is discussed.