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Title: Lattice calculation of dilepton production in peripheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5762047

In this talk, I will concentrate on electromagnetic dilepton production in peripheral heavy-ion collisions at relativistic energies. For very heavy systems such as Au + Au,U + U the effective coupling constant Z/alpha/ /approx/ 0.5, thus casting doubt on the applicability of perturbation theory. We shall therefore utilize a nonperturbative lattice approach. The main problem to be solved is the Dirac equation for leptons in the presence of strong transient EM fields (E/sub max/ = 10/sup 25/V/m for U + U at RHIC energies). There are several motivations for these studies: We will be able to probe nonperturbative QED in an entirely new energy regime. The hadronic (Drell-Yan) production of dileptons has been widely discussed as a signature of the quark-gluon plasma phase transition. The dominant background will be the coherent EM pair production by the heavy ions in relativistic motion. Lepton pair production with capture of the negatively charged lepton by one of the ions is one of the most serious beam-loss mechanisms for relativistic heavy-ion colliders. 7 refs., 2 figs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5762047
Report Number(s):
CONF-8905143-8; ON: DE89015369
Resource Relation:
Conference: NATO international advanced courses on the nuclear equation of state, Peniscola, Spain, 12 May - 3 Jun 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English