A path integral approach to inclusive processes

O. Nachtmann; A. Rauscher

doi:doi:10.1007/s100520000439

EPJ

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2022 Impact factor 4.4

Particles and Fields

Eur. Phys. J. C 16, 665-676
DOI 10.1007/s100520000439

A path integral approach to inclusive processes

O. Nachtmann - A. Rauscher

Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 16, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Received: 8 March 2000 / Published online: 6 July 2000 - © Springer-Verlag 2000

Dedicated to Prof. Franz Wegner on the Occasion of his 60th Birthday

Abstract
The single-particle inclusive differential cross-section for a reaction $a+b\to c+X$ is written as the imaginary part of a correlation function in a forward scattering amplitude for $a+b\to a+b$ in a modified effective theory. In this modified theory the interaction Hamiltonian $\tilde H_I$ equals H_I in the original theory up to a certain time. Then there is a sign change and $\tilde H_I$ becomes nonlocal. This is worked out in detail for scalar field models and for QED plus the abelian gluon model. A suitable path integral for direct calculations of inclusive cross sections is presented.