Angular distribution of high-energy $e^+e^-$ photoproduction close to the end of spectrum

TL;DR

This paper derives an analytical expression for the differential cross section of high-energy electron-positron pair production in a strong Coulomb field near the spectrum's end, highlighting significant Coulomb corrections.

Contribution

It provides a new compact analytical formula for the cross section in a specific high-energy regime, including Coulomb corrections for moderate nuclear charges.

Findings

Analytical cross section formula derived for high-energy regime

Coulomb corrections significantly affect the cross section

Angular distributions for related processes are also obtained

Abstract

We consider the differential cross section of electron-positron pair production by a high-energy photon in a strong Coulomb field close to the end of the electron or positron spectrum. When the momentum transfer largely exceeds the electron mass, the cross section is obtained analytically in a compact form. Coulomb corrections essentially modify the cross section even for moderate values of the nuclear charge number $Z$. In the same kinematical region, the angular distribution for bound-free pair production, bremsstrahlung, and photorecombination is also obtained.