Electron-positron pair production in the deep quantum regime

Abstract

Electron-positron pair production via real and virtual photons is significant to the design of linear colliders, especially in the deep quantum regime (i.e., beamstrahlung parameter Υ≫1). In this regime, pair production via a virtual photon (the trident process) can become comparable in rate to pair production via a real beamstrahlung photon. We derive characteristics of the e+e‐ pairs produced via the trident process, using the quasi-classical approach of Baier, Katkov, and Strakhovenko [1]. We have also examined some of the implications of e+e‐ pair production for the design of very high energy (several TeV in the center of mass) linear colliders in the deep quantum regime, both in this paper and elsewhere [2].