Pair production in the field of atomic electrons

Abstract

The total cross section for pair production in the field of atomic electrons (triplet production) is considered in detail. A discussion of the relevant theoretical papers is presented; the more familiar cross section for pair production in the Coulomb field of the nucleus serves for comparison. The effect of exchange and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}e$ interactions, atomic binding, and radiative corrections are all considered. Earlier expressions for the recoil distribution have been simplified considerably. Numerical values for screening corrections, exchange and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}e$ contributions, and total cross sections are given. Comparison is made with experimental cross sections for pair production on hydrogen and deuterium.