Tridents,μPairs, and Quantum Electrodynamics at Small Distances

Abstract

Four experiments are proposed and discussed as tests of quantum electrodynamics, as applied to photons, electrons, and $\mu$-mesons at distances ${10}^{-13\mathrm{}}$ cm. These are: (1) Electron-positron pair production by electrons in hydrogen (tridents); (2) Wide-angle photoproduction of $\mu$-meson pairs in hydrogen with detection of one final meson; (3) Wide-angle photoproduction of $\mu$-meson pairs in hydrogen with detection of both final mesons in coincidence; (4) $\mu$-meson pair-production by electrons in hydrogen. Taken together with wide-angle photoproduction of electron-positron pairs, which was discussed earlier, these experiments will extend our knowledge of electron, photon, and $\mu$-meson "size" to distances ∼0.3×${10}^{-13\mathrm{}}$ cm. They are all feasible for the Stanford linear accelerator operating in the 500 Mev-1 Bev energy range.