A single photon cannot produce an electron-positron pair in free space
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 75/100
According to the laws of quantum electrodynamics and momentum-energy conservation, a single real photon cannot spontaneously decay into an electron-positron pair in free space without interacting with another particle or external field.
Evidence for · 2
Input to the European strategy for particle physics: strong-field quantum electrodynamics.
2025 · cited by 0
Discusses Breit-Wheeler pair production (photon-to-electron-positron conversion) as an exotic strong-field QED phenomenon that requires extreme conditions or fields to occur rather than happening for a single photon in free space.
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More for · 1
Numerical proof-of-concept of nanofoam-based targets for proton acceleration and high-energy photon and positron generation in strong fields
2025 · cited by 0
Examines nonlinear Breit-Wheeler pair production in the context of high-intensity laser-matter interactions, highlighting that pair production from photons requires specific high-field environments.