Nonlinear Bethe-Heitler pair creation with attosecond laser pulses at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper explores nonlinear QED lepton pair creation via multiphoton absorption during ultrarelativistic ion collisions with ultrashort high-frequency laser pulses, proposing observable effects with tabletop x-ray lasers at the LHC.

Contribution

It introduces the feasibility of observing nonlinear Bethe-Heitler pair creation with tabletop laser sources in high-energy collider environments, analyzing different collision systems and production channels.

Findings

Nonlinear pair creation is detectable with tabletop x-ray lasers at LHC.

Protons and Pb ions differ in pair production efficiency.

Bound-free and free pair production channels are both viable.

Abstract

The creation of lepton pairs ($e^+e^-$ and $\mu^+\mu^-$) via multiphoton absorption in collisions of ultrarelativistic ion beams with ultrashort high-frequency laser pulses is considered. Both the free and the bound-free production channels are addressed, where in the latter case the negatively charged lepton is created in a bound atomic state. It is shown that these nonlinear QED processes are observable when a table-top source of intense xuv or x-ray laser radiation is operated in conjunction with the LHC. We discuss the relative effectiveness of protons versus Pb ions and specify for each pair production channel the most suitable collision system.