22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Using Relativistic Hamiltonian Dynamics to Analyze Collisions of an Electron off a 3-Body Particle in the Front Form
Matthew A. Olson
Dr. Peter Rolnick (Retired), Faculty Mentor
Relativistic Hamiltonian dynamics (RHD) deals with problems in physics where the energies involved are in between those required for non-relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. Paul Dirac laid out the three most common approaches to analyzing collisions with RHD: the point, front, and instant forms. Each form uniquely separates the Poincare operators into those that are dynamic and those that are kinematic. This project uses the front form to analyze collisions of an electron with a spinless, 3-body, particle. The end result of this calculation is a graph of the charge form factor for various energies of the incident electron. Although this calculation lacks physical significance because it disregards spin, valuable comparisons can be made by combining it with my colleagues analyses of the point and instant forms. Thus, we are able to see the differences in their uses and discover what advantages and pitfalls arise with each form.
Keywords: Physics, Collisions, Quantum Mechanics, Front Form
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 22-1
Location: VH 1412
Time: 9:45