Use of Causality Conditions in Quantum Theory

M. Gell-Mann, M. L. Goldberger, and W. E. Thirring
Phys. Rev. 95, 1612 – Published 15 September 1954
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Abstract

The limitations on scattering amplitudes imposed by causality requirements are deduced from the demand that the commutator of field operators vanish if the operators are taken at points with space-like separations. The problems of the scattering of spin-zero particles by a force center and the scattering of photons by a quantized matter field are discussed. The causality requirements lead in a natural way to the well-known dispersion relation of Kramers and Kronig. A new sum rule for the nuclear photoeffect is derived and the scattering of photons by nucleons is discussed.

  • Received 24 May 1954

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.95.1612

©1954 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Gell-Mann

  • Institute of Nuclear Studies and Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

M. L. Goldberger*

  • Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

W. E. Thirring

  • Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey

  • *On leave of absence from the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Present address, Physikalisches Institute, Universitat Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

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Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 6 — September 1954

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