Resonance two-photon pair production on nuclei and on electrons

Expressions are obtained for the cross section of photoproduction of an electron-positron pair on a nucleus and on an electron in the field of a weak electromagnetic wave in the resonance region corresponding to the virtual electron (positron) being on the mass shell. The magnitude of these cross sections relative to ordinary pair production by a photon on a nucleus and on an electron is estimated. It is shown that this mechanism can enhance pair production by a photon on a nucleus and on an electron in the resonance region with simultaneous detection of the electron (positron) at a large angle.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 2, pp. 12–15, February, 1981.We thank A. A. Sokolov for his interest in the work.