Direct electron-pair production by 6.4 TeV 32S emulsion interactions

A search for direct electron pairs was performed at the 6.4 TeV 32S emulsion interactions at CERN. A total of 81 directly produced electron pairs have been observed, with an average number per interaction of about two. The results have been analysed in the light of the predictions of quantum electrodynamical calculations. A simple interpretation for the extracted results based on the virtual mass distribution is presented. The experimental results are in partial agreement with the present theories. The virtual mass distribution does not show a 1/m behaviour.