Exploring the higher-order QED effects on the differential distributions of vacuum pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

• Published in: Physics letters. B Vol. 847; p. 138314
• Main Authors: Li, Xinbai, Luo, Jiaxuan, Tang, Zebo, Wu, Xin, Zha, Wangmei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10.12.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Heavy ion collisions; Higher order; Pair production; QED; Pair production; QED; Higher order; Heavy ion collisions
• ISSN: 0370-2693; 1873-2445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2023.138314

Extensive studies have been conducted in the past few decades to investigate potential signatures of higher-order QED effects in high-energy electromagnetic scattering processes. In our previous work, we have identified evidence of higher-order corrections in the total cross-section for the vacuum pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. However, the presence of higher-order QED corrections cannot be unambiguously proven solely based on total cross-section measurements due to substantial experimental and theoretical uncertainties. The objective of this paper is to explore the sensitivity of specific differential observables in the vacuum pair production to higher-order QED effects in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. These investigations will provide guidance in determining the presence or absence of higher-order QED processes by conducting precise measurements in future experiments.