The Linear Sigma Model at Work: Succesful Postdictions for Pion Scattering

Abstract

We enforce chiral Ward identities on the vertices of the linear sigma model to take into account the width of the scalar sigma, considered as a true physical resonance. We consider pion scattering at very low energies and, from a fit to the measured phase shifts in the various angular momentum and isospin channels, conclude a mass for the sigma of 600+200-100 MeV. Its width turns out to be of the same size.