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maverick280857
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Hi,
Following my recent https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=375638" with density matrix formulations of scattering theory, here's a question I faced on yesterday's particle physics exam. I did some mechanical computation, but I am not fully convinced of what I did (basically computed the density matrix and tried to compute the polarizations). The problem is that I am still not comfortable with the entire machinery.
I'd appreciate if someone could discuss this question and explain me the machinery. I would like to work out the solution on my own.
Thanks!
Following my recent https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=375638" with density matrix formulations of scattering theory, here's a question I faced on yesterday's particle physics exam. I did some mechanical computation, but I am not fully convinced of what I did (basically computed the density matrix and tried to compute the polarizations). The problem is that I am still not comfortable with the entire machinery.
I'd appreciate if someone could discuss this question and explain me the machinery. I would like to work out the solution on my own.
The [itex]T[/itex] matrix for the scattering of a scalar particle on a spin [itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex] particle is written as
[tex]T = f + ig \vec{\sigma}\cdot(\vec{k}_i - \vec{k}_f)[/tex]
where [itex]\vec{k}_{i,f}[/itex] refer to initial and final momenta in the centre of mass frame.
(a) Determine the polarization of the proton after scattering if it is initially polarized.
(b) Determine the asymmetry in the scattering to the [itex]|\uparrow\rangle[/itex] and the [itex]|\downarrow\rangle[/itex] states if it is polarized initially with a positive helicity. The states written above refer to the axis perpendicular to the scattering plane.
Thanks!
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