Single- and double-scattering production of four muons in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at the Large Hadron Collider

Abstract

We discuss production of two ${\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}$ pairs in ultraperipheral ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions at the LHC. We take into account electromagnetic (two-photon) double-scattering production and for a first time direct $\gamma \gamma$ production of four muons in one scattering. We study the unexplored process $\gamma \gamma \to {\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}{\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}$. We present predictions for total and differential cross sections. Measurable nuclear cross sections are obtained and corresponding differential distributions and counting rates are presented.

Comments: 13 pages, 11 figures, 1 table