Calculation of matrix element for ##e^{+}e##-->##\mu^{+}\mu##

In summary, the calculation of the matrix element for the process \( e^{+}e^{-} \rightarrow \mu^{+}\mu^{-} \) involves evaluating the contributions from the exchange of virtual photons in quantum electrodynamics (QED). The matrix element is derived using Feynman diagrams, incorporating factors such as the electromagnetic coupling constant and the appropriate spin and polarization states of the particles involved. The final expression provides insight into the cross-section for this process, which is significant for understanding electron-positron annihilation phenomena.
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dark_matter_is_neat
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Homework Statement
This is problem 5.4 from Schwartz's QFT and The Standard Model
It for me to calculate the matrix element of ##e^{+}e##-->##\mu^{+}mu## in the ultra relativistic limit in the center of mass frame using circular polarization instead of linear polarization which was done in section 5.3.
Relevant Equations
Setting the ##e^{+}e## axis as the z axis, the initial momentum vectors are:
p1 = (E, 0, 0, E), p2 = (E, 0, 0, -E)
The initial circular polarization vectors should be:
##\epsilon 1 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(0,1,i,0)## and ##\epsilon 2 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(0,1,-i,0)##
The final momentum vectors will be at some angle with respect to the z axis, so I will pick for these vectors to be rotated around the x axis by some angle ##\theta##.
So the final momentum vectors are:
p3 = E##(1, 0, sin\theta, cos\theta)## and p4 = E##(1, 0, -sin\theta, -cos\theta)##
The final circular polarization vectors should be the initial polarization vectors operated on by the same rotation so they should be:
##\epsilon 3 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(0,1,icos\theta,-isin\theta)## and ##\epsilon 4 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(0, 1, -icos\theta, isin\theta)##
Following the calculation done in section 5.3 of Schwartz's QFT and The Standard Model, the matrix element, M, should have two contributions M1 and M2.
M1=ϵ1ϵ3+ϵ1ϵ4
M2=ϵ2ϵ3+ϵ2ϵ4
However when I do these calculations I get that M1 = M2 = 1, ##|M|^{2} = |M1|^{2} + |M2|^{2} = 1+1 = 2##, which does not match with the result obtained from using linear polarization: ##|M|^{2} = 1+cos^{2}\theta##
I'm not really sure where the calculation is going wrong, this should match with the linear polarization result.
 

FAQ: Calculation of matrix element for ##e^{+}e##-->##\mu^{+}\mu##

What is the process of e+e- → μ+μ-?

The process e+e- → μ+μ- refers to the annihilation of an electron and a positron into a muon-antimuon pair. This is a fundamental interaction in quantum electrodynamics (QED) and is mediated by the exchange of a virtual photon. The calculation of the matrix element for this process involves evaluating the relevant Feynman diagrams and applying the principles of quantum field theory.

What is a matrix element in quantum field theory?

A matrix element in quantum field theory represents the amplitude for a specific transition between initial and final states. It is a key quantity used to calculate cross sections and decay rates for particle interactions. The matrix element incorporates information about the particles involved, their interactions, and the underlying forces, providing a bridge between theoretical predictions and experimental observations.

How is the matrix element for e+e- → μ+μ- calculated?

The matrix element for the process e+e- → μ+μ- is calculated using Feynman rules, which translate the interactions depicted in Feynman diagrams into mathematical expressions. For this specific process, one typically considers the tree-level diagram involving a single virtual photon exchange. The calculation involves evaluating the relevant Dirac spinors for the initial and final state particles and integrating over the appropriate phase space.

What role does the coupling constant play in the matrix element calculation?

The coupling constant, specifically the fine-structure constant (α), plays a crucial role in the matrix element calculation for e+e- → μ+μ-. It quantifies the strength of the electromagnetic interaction. In the matrix element, the coupling constant appears as a factor that scales the amplitude, reflecting how likely the interaction is to occur. The matrix element is then squared to obtain the cross section, which is directly related to the probability of the process.

What are the experimental implications of calculating the matrix element for this process?

Calculating the matrix element for e+e- → μ+μ- has significant experimental implications. It allows physicists to predict the cross section for this process, which can be tested in particle colliders. By comparing theoretical predictions with

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