Exploring the higher-order QED effects on the differential distributions of vacuum pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Abstract

Extensive studies have been conducted in the past few decades to investigate potential signatures of higher-order QED effects in high-energy electromagnetic scattering processes. In our previous work, we have identified evidence of higher-order corrections in the total cross-section for the vacuum pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. However, the presence of higher-order QED corrections cannot be unambiguously proven solely based on total cross-section measurements due to substantial experimental and theoretical uncertainties. The objective of this paper is to explore the sensitivity of specific differential observables in the vacuum pair production to higher-order QED effects in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. These investigations will provide guidance in determining the presence or absence of higher-order QED processes by conducting precise measurements in future experiments.