A differential cross section is a measure of the probability that a specific type of interaction will occur between two particles in a given direction and energy. It is often used in particle physics to study the scattering of particles off of each other.
The differential cross section is calculated by taking the ratio of the number of particles scattered in a specific direction and energy range to the total number of incident particles and the solid angle of the detector. This is then multiplied by a factor to account for the target density and the detector efficiency.
A double differential cross section is a measure of the probability of two particles scattering off of each other in a specific direction and energy range. It takes into account both the angle and energy of the scattered particles, providing a more detailed picture of the interaction compared to a single differential cross section.
A triple differential cross section is a measure of the probability of three particles scattering off of each other in a specific direction and energy range. It takes into account the angle and energy of all three particles, providing even more detailed information about the interaction compared to a double differential cross section.
Studying differential cross sections allows scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces and particles that make up our universe. It also helps in the development of new theories and models to explain particle interactions and can provide insights into the behavior of matter at a subatomic level.