Date of Award:

5-1974

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Physics

Committee Chair(s)

Jack E. Chatelain

Committee

Jack E. Chatelain

Abstract

The calculation of both electron-pair and muon-pair production cross-sections was made using Feynman's quantum electrodynamics. Pseudo-scaler coupling was used between the nucleons and vector coupling was used between the photon and the Fermions. The protons were considered as Dirac particles and radiative corrections were omitted.

Eight fourth-order Feynman-Dyson diagrams were used. The subsequent sixty-four TRACES were reduced to seven basic topologically different TRACES. From the seven basic TRACES, it was possible to generate the sixty-four TRACES by the proper permutations of the variables.

With the mathematics and the corresponding computer programs written down, data (energies and momenta which represent the kinematics of the reaction) were needed. Using a Monte Carlo method, random relativistically invariant data were generated and then substituted into the computer programs from which pair production cross-sections were calculated.

Using the random nature of the data, it was possible to compare the theoretical treatment of the muon-pair production process with the experimental results of Christenson (1970). The comparison was very favorable.

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