Meson production in high-energy electron-nucleus scattering

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for meson production via two-photon fusion in high-energy electron-nucleus scattering, analyzing interference effects and wave function distortions in the small-angle Coulomb region.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of meson production mechanisms, including interference and Coulomb distortion effects, in electron-nucleus scattering experiments.

Findings

The theory describes meson production in the small-angle Coulomb region.

Interference effects between two-photon fusion and coherent radiative processes are characterized.

Wave function distortion due to multiple Coulomb scattering is analyzed.

Abstract

Experimental studies of meson production through two-photon fusion in inelastic electron-nucleus scattering is now under way. A high-energy photon radiated by the incident electron is fused with a soft photon radiated by the nucleus. The process takes place in the small-angle-Coulomb region of nuclear scattering. We expound the theory for this production process as well as its interference with coherent-radiative-meson production. In particular, we investigate the distortion of the electron wave function due to multiple-Coulomb scattering.