arXiv subjects

S. Wickramasekara

Publications and source records attributed to S. Wickramasekara.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Time Asymmetric Quantum Theory - III. Decaying States and the Causal Poincare Semigroup

A relativistic resonance which was defined by a pole of the $S$-matrix, or by a relativistic Breit-Wigner line shape, is represented by a generalized state vector (ket) which can be obtained by analytic extension of the relativistic Lippmann-Schwinger kets. These Gamow kets span an irreducible representation space for Poincaré transformations which, similar to the Wigner representations for stable particles, are characterized by spin (angular momentum of the partial wave amplitude) and complex mass (position of the resonance pole). The Poincaré transformations of the Gamow kets, as well as of the Lippmann-Schwinger plane wave scattering states, form only a semigroup of Poincaré transformations into the forward light cone. Their transformation properties are derived. From these one obtains an unambiguous definition of resonance mass and width for relativistic resonances. The physical interpretation of these transformations for the Born probabilities and the problem of causality in relativistic quantum physics is discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

Relativistic Gamow Vectors I Derivation from Poles of the S-Matrix

A state vector description for relativistic resonances is derived from the first order pole of the $j$-th partial $S$-matrix at the invariant square mass value $\sm_R=(m-iΓ/2)^2$ in the second sheet of the Riemann energy surface. To associate a ket, called Gamow vector, to the pole, we use the generalized eigenvectors of the four-velocity operators in place of the customary momentum eigenkets of Wigner, and we replace the conventional Hilbert space assumptions for the in- and out-scattering states with the new hypothesis that in- and out-states are described by two different Hardy spaces with complementary analyticity properties. The Gamow vectors have the following properties: - They are simultaneous generalized eigenvectors of the four velocity operators with real eigenvalues and of the self-adjoint invariant mass operator $M=(P_μP^μ)^{1/2}$ with complex eigenvalue $\sqrt{\sm_R}$. - They have a Breit-Wigner distribution in the invariant square mass variable $\sm$ and lead to an exactly exponential law for the decay rates and probabilities.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Relativistic Gamow Vectors II

Motivated by the debate of possible definitions of mass and width of resonances for $Z$-boson and hadrons, we suggest a definition of unstable particles by ``minimally complex'' semigroup representations of the Poincaré group characterized by $(j,{\mathsf s}=(m-iΓ/2)^{2})$ in which the Lorentz subgroup is unitary. This definition, though decidedly distinct from those based on various renormalization schemes of perturbation theory, is intimately connected with the first order pole definition of the $S$-matrix theory in that the complex square mass $(m-iΓ/2)^{2}$ characterizing the representation of the Poincaré semigroup is exactly the position ${\mathsf s}_R$ at which the $S$-matrix has a simple pole. Wigner's representations $(j,m)$ are the limit case of the complex representations for $Γ=0$. These representations have generalized vectors (Gamow kets) which have, in addition to the $S$-matrix pole at ${\mathsf s}=(m-iΓ/2)^{2}$, all the other properties that heuristically the unstable states need to possess: a Breit-Wigner distribution in invariant square mass and a lifetime $τ=\frac{1}Γ$ defined by the exactly exponential law for the decay probability ${\cal P}(t)$ and rate $\dot{\cal P}(t)$ given by an exact Golden Rule which becomes Dirac's Golden Rule in the Born-approximation. In addition and unintended, they have an asymmetric time evolution.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

Semigroup Representations of the Poincare Group and Relativistic Gamow Vectors

Gamow vectors are generalized eigenvectors (kets) of self-adjoint Hamiltonians with complex eigenvalues $(E_{R}\mp iΓ/2)$ describing quasistable states. In the relativistic domain this leads to Poincaré semigroup representations which are characterized by spin $j$ and by complex invariant mass square ${\mathsf{s}}={\mathsf{s}}_{R}=(M_{R}-\frac{i}{2}Γ_{R})^{2}$. Relativistic Gamow kets have all the properties required to describe relativistic resonances and quasistable particles with resonance mass $M_{R}$ and lifetime $\hbar/Γ_{R}$.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

Relativistic Gamow Vectors

Gamow vectors in non-relativistic quantum mechanics are generalized eigenvectors (kets) of self-adjoint Hamiltonians with complex eigenvalues. Like the Dirac kets, they are mathematically well defined in the Rigged Hilbert Space. Gamow kets are derived from the resonance poles of the S-matrix. They have a Breit-Wigner energy distribution, an exponential decay law, and are members of a basis vector expansion whose truncation gives the finite dimensional effective theories with a complex Hamiltonian matrix. They also have an asymmetric time evolution described by a semigroup generated by the Hamiltonian, which expresses a fundamental quantum mechanical arrow of time. These Gamow kets are generalized to relativistic Gamow vectors by extrapolating from the Galilei group to the Poincare group. This leads to semigroup representations of the Poincare group which are characterized by spin j and complex invariant mass square. In these non-unitary representations the Lorentz subgroup is unitarily represented and the four-momenta are "minimally complex" in the sense that the four-velocity is real. The relativistic Gamow vectors have all the properties listed above for the non-relativistic Gamow vectors and are therefore ideally suited to describe relativistic resonances and quasistable particles.

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