Measurement of the exclusive $\gamma \gamma \rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-$ process in proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

TL;DR

This paper reports the measurement of exclusive gamma-gamma to mu+ mu- production in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV using the ATLAS detector, providing data for testing quantum electrodynamics and proton structure models.

Contribution

First measurement of exclusive gamma-gamma to mu+ mu- production at 13 TeV with detailed cross-section analysis by ATLAS.

Findings

Measured integrated cross-section within fiducial region.

Provided differential cross-sections as a function of invariant mass.

Results agree with theoretical predictions including absorptive effects.

Abstract

The production of exclusive $\gamma \gamma \rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-$ events in proton--proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV is measured with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.2 fb$^{-1}$. The measurement is performed for a dimuon invariant mass of 12 GeV $<m_{\mu^+\mu^-}<$ 70 GeV. The integrated cross-section is determined within a fiducial acceptance region of the ATLAS detector and differential cross-sections are measured as a function of the dimuon invariant mass. The results are compared to theoretical predictions that include corrections for absorptive effects.