Muon-Pair Creation by Two X-Ray Laser Photons in the Field of an Atomic Nucleus

Carsten Müller, Carlus Deneke, and Christoph H. Keitel
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 060402 – Published 5 August 2008

Abstract

The generation of muon-antimuon pairs is calculated in the collision of an ultrarelativistic bare ion with an intense x-ray laser beam. The reaction proceeds nonlinearly via absorption of two laser photons. By systematic study throughout the nuclear chart, we show that the interplay between the nuclear charge and size, along with the possibility of nuclear excitation leads to saturation of the total production rates for high-Z ions, in contrast to the usual Z2 scaling for pointlike projectiles. The process is experimentally accessible by combining present-day ion accelerators with near-future laser sources and in principle allows for the measurement of nuclear form factors.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 13 March 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.060402

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Carsten Müller, Carlus Deneke, and Christoph H. Keitel

  • Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 6 — 8 August 2008

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×