Operator representation of the wave function for a charged particle in an external field and its applications

A consistent derivation of the operator form for the solution of the wave e quation for a charged particle in an arbitrary external electromagnetic fie ld is presented. The expressions obtained can be used for solving any probl ems in quantum electrodynamics in external fields in the framework of the s emiclassical operator method. The peculiarities of the application of this method are demonstrated for the small-angle elastic scattering of a high-en ergy photon in an arbitrary localized electric field. The problem is solved for the first time without presuming the central symmetry of the external field potential. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/ Interperiodica".