Higher Order QED Calculation of Ultrarelativistic Heavy Ion Production of mu+ mu- Pairs

Abstract

A higher order QED calculation of the ultraperipheral heavy ion cross section for mu+ mu- pair production at RHIC and LHC is carried out. The so-called "Coulomb corrections" lead to an even greater percentage decrease of mu+ mu- production from perturbation theory than the corresponding decrease for e+ e- pair production. Unlike the e+ e- case, the finite charge distribution of the ions (form factor) and the necessary subtraction of impact parameters with matter overlap are significant effects in calculation an observable ultraperipheral mu+ mu- total cross section.

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures. Version expanded with explanatory text and two appendices on form factor treatment