Constraints on anomalous WWγ and WWγγ couplings at a 500 GeV linear e⁺e^- collider

We examine the potential of a future 500 GeV linear e⁺e^- collider (NLC) to probe the "minimal" set (κ{script}_γ, λ_γ) of anomalous WWγ and WWγγ couplings via the (sub) processes γ→W⁺W^-, e^-γ→W^-v and e⁺e^-→W⁺W^-, for comparison. Photon beams both from classical Bremsstrahlung and, notably, from backscattering laser light off e^± beams are considered. The differential cross sections dσ/d cos θ of the three reactions are calculated analytically and used as observables in a χ² analysis under identical assumptions on machine parameters. The constraints emerging from the use of laser photon beams appear very encouraging, are independent of κ{script}_Z and λ_Z and impressively underline the importance of realizing laser photon beams at the NLC.