Abstract

The creation of electron-positron pairs from the vacuum by strong electromagnetic fields is a fundamental and one of the most fascinating processes of relativistic quantum mechanics. Fields sufficiently strong to induce pair creation can be produced, for example, in collisions of bare ions. The process has been studied intensively both in theory and experiment since the 1980s. In peripheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions electromagnetic fields are very strong and interact with each other for a very short time. In these strong fields, probabilities of various electromagnetic processes such as free pair production, bound-free pair production and excitation are large and increase with the Lorentz factor γ. Measurement of cross sections and other relevant distributions are very important for understanding the strong field effect.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.