Pion and muon production in electron-positron photon plasma

Abstract

We study production and equilibration of pions and muons in relativistic electron-positron-photon plasma at a temperature $T\ll m_{\mu },m_{\pi }$. We argue that the observation of pions and muons can be a diagnostic tool in the study of the initial properties of such a plasma formed by means of strong laser fields. Conversely, properties of muons and pions in thermal environment become accessible to precise experimental study.

Comments: 16 pages, v3 imporved presentation in response to PRD review, v4 minor corrections presumably the "to be" published version