Finite-size corrections to Fermi's golden rule: I. Decay rates
arXiv:1303.4568 · doi:10.1093/ptep/ptt049
Abstract
A quantum mechanical wave of a finite size moves like a classical particle and shows a unique decay probability. Because the wave function evolves according to the Schrödinger equation, it preserves the total energy but not the kinetic energy in the intermediate-time region of a decay process where those of the parent and daughters overlap. The decay rate computed with Fermi's golden rule requires corrections that vary with the distance between the initial and final states, and the energy distribution of the daughter is distorted from that of plane waves. The corrections have universal properties in relativistically invariant systems and reveal macroscopic quantum phenomena for light particles. The implications for precision experiments in beta decays and various radiative transitions are presented.
75 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, published version in PTEP
References in corpus (2)
Cited by in corpus (8)
- Matter-enhanced transition probabilities in quantum field theory
- Particle decay in Gaussian wave-packet formalism revisited
- Wave-Packet Effects: A Solution for Isospin Anomalies in Vector-Meson Decay
- Wave packets in QFT: leading order width corrections to decay rates and clock behaviour under Lorentz boosts
- Search for the correction term to the Fermi's golden rule in positron annihilation
- On Experimental Confirmation of the Corrections to the Fermi's golden rule
- New effect in wave-packet scattering of quantum fields
- Photon self-interaction through gravitons and axions