Radiative corrections to positronium decay

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(83)90053-2· OSTI ID:6034094

Adkins, G S

In this work a method for calculating radiative corrections to positronium decay is presented that is direct, and allows for a systematic extension applicable to the calculation of corrections beyond the first (o(..cap alpha..)) correction. An expression for the decay amplitude in terms of the Bethe--Salpeter is employed. The Bethe--Salpeter wavefunction is evaluated perturbatively in a scheme having a lowest-order bound state equation that is exactly soluble. The decay amplitude is evaluated in Coulomb gauge, without the introduction of a photon mass. One-loop renormalization in Coulomb gauge is shown to be consistent. Using this method the known analytic result for the o(..cap alpha..) correction to the parapositronium decay rate is obtained. The same method is applied to orthopositronium, and the existing theoretical discrepancy in the value of the o(..cap alpha..) correction to the decay rate is resolved. This o(..cap alpha..) correction is obtained with an error which corresponds to an uncertainty in the total rate much smaller than ..cap alpha../sup 2/GAMMA/sub LO/ (where GAMMA/sub LO/ is the lowest-order rate). Also, the o(..cap alpha..) correction to the differential decay rate is computed for the first time.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• DOE Contract Number: AM03-76SF00034; AT03-81ER40024
• OSTI ID: 6034094
• Journal Information: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 146:1; ISSN APNYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640303* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Positronium
Muonium
& Muonic & Mesic Atoms & Molecules
645400 -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
AMPLITUDES
ANNIHILATION
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BETHE-SALPETER EQUATION
BOUND STATE
CORRECTIONS
COULOMB FIELD
CP INVARIANCE
DECAY
DECAY AMPLITUDES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
EQUATIONS
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
INTERACTIONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
PERTURBATION THEORY
PHASE SPACE
POLARIZATION
POSITRONIUM
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS
RENORMALIZATION
SPACE
TRANSITION AMPLITUDES
WAVE FUNCTIONS