Within the framework of QED we investigate inclusive $J/\psi$ production at $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ colliders. It is expected to be a further test to charmonium production mechanisms and QED. We find that at the energies of CESR, BEPC, and KEK TRISTAN (e.g., 4.0 GeV$<~\sqrt{s}<~60$ GeV), the contributions of the concerned electromagnetic processes to $J/\psi$ inclusive production are great, even dominant; thus, they greatly affect the observation of the color-octet $J/\psi$ production signature at $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ colliders. The production of ${\psi }^{\prime }$, being similar to that of $J/\psi$’s, is roughly estimated, and its influence on the observation of the color-octet $J/\psi$ production signature in $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ collisions is also discussed.

• Received 8 October 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.57.4035