Constraints of time reversal invariance in the polarization structure of reactions

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Annals of Physics (New York); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(89)90099-7· OSTI ID:5004732

Moravcsik, M J ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Institute of Theoretical Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403 (US)

In any optimal formalism time reversal constraints set up pairwise equalities among most of the reaction amplitudes, and leave the rest unchanged. The corresponding relations for the experimental observables are of two types. In the first type, called mirror relations, two observables are equal (up to a sign). These are a consequence of applying the time reversal operator to both amplitudes in the bilinear products. The second type of relations are of a non-mirror type, and originate in applying the time reversal operator to only one of the two amplitudes in this product. Using a geometrical analogue, the contents of these non-mirror relations are exhibited, showing that a given relation always involves the same particle polarization arguments, in various permutations. There is a large network of such non-mirror relations, connecting all permutations of a given set of particle polarization arguments, though only a small subset of them form a linearly independent set. A geometrical procedure is constructed which yields these non-mirror relations. Under time reversal invariance and through the non-mirror relations the sizes of the submatrices also decrease in some instances and in fact can even deviate from the 8-by-8, 4-by-4, 2-by-2, and 1-by-1 possibilities which are the only ones when only Lorentz invariance is imposed or when parity constraints are imposed in the transversity formalism. The mirror relations result in pairwise mergers of entire submatrices. {copyright} 1989 Academic Press, Inc.

• OSTI ID: 5004732
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York); (USA), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York); (USA) Vol. 195:1; ISSN APNYA; ISSN 0003-4916
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645300* -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Invariance Principles & Symmetries
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
AMPLITUDES
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LORENTZ INVARIANCE
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
P INVARIANCE
POLARIZATION
SCATTERING AMPLITUDES
T INVARIANCE