The Breit-Wigner formula is a mathematical expression that describes the probability distribution of a resonance in a scattering process. It is commonly used in nuclear and particle physics to model the behavior of unstable particles.
The Breit-Wigner formula was developed by physicists Gregory Breit and Eugene Wigner in the 1930s. They were investigating the scattering of alpha particles by nuclei and needed a mathematical framework to describe the energy distribution of the resulting particles.
The Breit-Wigner formula is an important tool in nuclear and particle physics as it allows scientists to accurately predict the behavior of resonances in scattering processes. It has also been used in other fields such as spectroscopy and quantum mechanics.
The Breit-Wigner formula is derived from the Schrödinger equation, which describes the behavior of quantum particles. It involves solving for the complex energy values of the system and then using them to calculate the probability distribution of the resonance.
The Breit-Wigner formula assumes that the resonance is a simple, isolated peak in the energy distribution. This may not be the case in some complex systems, leading to inaccuracies in the predictions. It also does not take into account the effects of quantum interference, which may be important in certain scenarios.
