Impact parameter dependence of heavy ion e+ e- pair production to all orders in Z alpha

Abstract

The heavy ion probability for continuum e+ e- pair production has been calculated to all orders in Z alpha as a function of impact parameter. The formula resulting from an exact solution of the semiclassical Dirac equation in the ultrarelativistic limit is evaluated numerically. In a calculation of gamma = 100 colliding Au ions the probability of e+ e- pair production is reduced from the perturbation theory result throughout the impact parameter range.

Comments: 20 pages, latex, revtex, 6 eps figures. Revised Phys. Rev. C version with minor additions, one figure added, and added references