The interaction of virtual photons is investigated using the reaction e+e- -> e+e- hadrons based on data taken by the OPAL experiment at e+e- centre-of-mass energies sqrt(s_ee)=189-209 GeV, for W>5 GeV and at an average Q^2 of 17.9 GeV^2. The measured cross-sections are compared to predictions of the Quark Parton Model (QPM), to the Leading Order QCD Monte Carlo model PHOJET to the NLO prediction for the reaction e+e- -> e+e-qqbar, and to BFKL calculations. PHOJET, NLO e+e- -> e+e-qqbar, and QPM describe the data reasonably well, whereas the cross-section predicted by a Leading Order BFKL calculation is too large.
Total cross section in the given phase space and assuming ALPHA = 1/137.
Differential cross section as a function of X where X is the maximum value of X1 or X2, the upper and lower vertex values.
Differential cross section as a function of Q**2 where Q**2 is the maximum value of Q1**2 or Q2**2, the upper and lower vertex values.
We have measured the electron, muon, and charged-hadron pair production rates in two-phonon interactions for invariant masses above 2.0 GeV over a large of momentum transfer. The cross sections for electron and muon pairs show good agreement with the QED predictions at both small and large momentum transfer. The observed rate of hadron production is less than 6% of the rate that QED predicts for point-like hadrons, consistent with recent leading-order QCD calculations.
LOW Q**2 CROSS SECTIONS.
DIFFERENTIAL CROSS SECTIONS IN THE INVARIANT MASS FOR MUON AND ELECTRON PAIRS IN THE UNTAGGED, LOW Q**2 REGION.
HIGH Q**2 CROSS SECTIONS.
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