In this paper we obtain analytical solutions of the Dirac and the Klein-Gordon equations coupled to a strong electromagnetic wave in the presence of plasma environment. These are a generalization of the familiar Volkov solutions. The contribution of the non-zero photon effective mass to the scalar and fermion wavefunctions, conserved quantities and effective mass is demonstrated for the first time. The new wavefunctions exhibit differences from Volkov solutions for nowadays available laser intensity.

The Lagrangian formulation of the scalar and spinor quantum electrodynamics (QED) in the presence of strong laser fields in a plasma medium is considered. We include the plasma influence in the free Lagrangian analogously to the "Furry picture" and obtain coupled equations of motion for the plasma particles and for the laser propagation. We demonstrate that the strong-field wave (i.e. the laser) satisfies a massive dispersion relation and obtain self-consistently the effective mass of the laser photons. The Lagrangian formulation derived in this paper is the basis for the cross sections calculation of quantum processes taking place in the presence of a plasma.

The Klein-Gordon equation in the presence of a strong electric field, taking the form of the Mathieu equation, is studied. A novel analytical solution is derived for particles whose asymptotic energy is much lower or much higher than the electromagnetic field amplitude. The condition for which the new solution recovers the familiar Volkov wavefunction naturally follows. When not satisfied, significant deviation from the Volkov wavefunction is demonstrated. The new condition is shown to differ by orders of magnitudes from the commonly used one. As this equation describes (neglecting spin effects) the emission processes and the particle motion in Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) cascades, our results suggest that the standard theoretical approach towards this phenomenon should be revised.