arXiv · hep-ph/0703058
Breakdown of the Narrow Width Approximation for New Physics
Abstract
The narrow width approximation is used in high energy physics to reduce the complexity of scattering calculations. It is a fortunate accident that it works so well for the Standard Model, but in general it will fail in the context of new physics. We find numerous examples of significant corrections when the calculation is performed fully off-shell including a finite width, notably from effects from the decay matrix elements. If not taken into account, attempts to reconstruct the Lagrangian of a new physics discovery from data would result in considerable inaccuracies and likely inconsistencies.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
D. Berdine, N. Kauer, D. Rainwater. 2007-08-07. Breakdown of the Narrow Width Approximation for New Physics. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.99.111601
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.