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U.S. Department of Energy
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Relativistic multiple scattering theories

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5478086

The conventional nonrelativistic nuclear many-body dynamics can be embedded in a Lorentz invariant dynamics with the same degrees of freedom. The qualitative features responsible for the agreement of such a theory with nucleon-nucleus scattering data are the same as for the nonrelativistic theory. Relativistic effects (i.e., the consequences of Lorentz invariance) can be investigated quantitatively. For medium-energy proton beams these relativistic effects are expected to be small. However, the requirements of Lorentz invariance do not determine the nuclear dynamics, or even severely restrict its form. Dirac phenomenology, as well, is consistent with minimal requirements of relativistic quantum theory: (i) The existence of a Hilbert space of states on which Lorentz transformations and translations are implemented by unitary operators; (ii) Positivity of the energy spectrum. It is also compatible with the fact that nucleons are composites of quarks, and its success does not imply that antinucleon degrees of freedom play a prominent role in medium-energy nucleon-nucleus scattering. 20 refs.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5478086
Report Number(s):
CONF-8506162-1; ON: DE85014986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English