Matter-enhanced transition probabilities in quantum field theory

Journal Article · Thu May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Annals of Physics (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AOP.2014.02.007· OSTI ID:22314807

Ishikawa, Kenzo; Tobita, Yutaka

The relativistic quantum field theory is the unique theory that combines the relativity and quantum theory and is invariant under the Poincaré transformation. The ground state, vacuum, is singlet and one particle states are transformed as elements of irreducible representation of the group. The covariant one particles are momentum eigenstates expressed by plane waves and extended in space. Although the S-matrix defined with initial and final states of these states hold the symmetries and are applied to isolated states, out-going states for the amplitude of the event that they are detected at a finite-time interval T in experiments are expressed by microscopic states that they interact with, and are surrounded by matters in detectors and are not plane waves. These matter-induced effects modify the probabilities observed in realistic situations. The transition amplitudes and probabilities of the events are studied with the S-matrix, S[T], that satisfies the boundary condition at T. Using S[T], the finite-size corrections of the form of 1/T are found. The corrections to Fermi’s golden rule become larger than the original values in some situations for light particles. They break Lorentz invariance even in high energy region of short de Broglie wave lengths. -- Highlights: •S-matrix S[T] for the finite-time interval in relativistic field theory. •S[T] satisfies the boundary condition and gives correction of 1/T . •The large corrections for light particles breaks Lorentz invariance. •The corrections have implications to neutrino experiments.

• OSTI ID: 22314807
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York), Vol. 344, Issue Complete; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-4916
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CORRECTIONS
EIGENSTATES
GROUND STATES
IRREDUCIBLE REPRESENTATIONS
LORENTZ INVARIANCE
NEUTRINOS
PROBABILITY
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
S MATRIX
SYMMETRY
TRANSFORMATIONS
TRANSITION AMPLITUDES
VISIBLE RADIATION
WAVE PROPAGATION