Graduate Mandelstam Variables for 2->2 Scattering with Equal Masses in CoM Frame

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In the discussion on 2->2 scattering with equal masses in the center-of-mass frame, participants explore the relationship between incoming and outgoing three-momenta, emphasizing conservation laws for energy and momentum. It is clarified that while the magnitudes of all four three-momenta are equal due to equal masses, their directions differ, leading to a scattering angle. The conversation also delves into deriving expressions for Mandelstam variables, with participants working through equations for differential cross-sections and the relationships between variables s, t, and u. The importance of correctly applying conservation laws and the relativistic energy-momentum relation is highlighted to ensure accurate calculations. The discussion culminates in a better understanding of how to express scattering angles and momenta in terms of Mandelstam variables.
  • #31
I'd put ##u=4m^2-s-t##. Then the cross section depends only on ##s## and ##t##. As shown above through ##t## the expression depends on the scattering angle ##\vartheta##. Then you can check, where the expression at fixed ##s=E_{\text{cm}}^2## is maximal as a function of ##t## and thus which angles dominate.
 
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  • #32
vanhees71 said:
I'd put ##u=4m^2-s-t##. Then the cross section depends only on ##s## and ##t##. As shown above through ##t## the expression depends on the scattering angle ##\vartheta##. Then you can check, where the expression at fixed ##s=E_{\text{cm}}^2## is maximal as a function of ##t## and thus which angles dominate.

Ah! I see!

So, you suggest the following:

##\displaystyle{\frac{d\sigma}{d\theta} = \frac{|\mathcal{M}|^{2}}{64\pi^{2}E_{\text{cm}}^{2}}}##

##\displaystyle{= \frac{g^{4}}{64\pi^{2}E_{\text{cm}}^{2}}\left|\frac{i}{s-m^{2}} + \frac{i}{t-m^{2}} + \frac{i}{u-m^{2}}\right|^{2}}##

##\displaystyle{= \frac{g^{4}}{64\pi^{2}s}\left(\frac{1}{s-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{t-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{u-m^{2}}\right)^{2}}##

##\displaystyle{= \frac{g^{4}}{64\pi^{2}s}\left(\frac{1}{s-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{t-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{(4m^{2}-s-t)-m^{2}}\right)^{2}}##

##\displaystyle{= \frac{g^{4}}{64\pi^{2}s}\left(\frac{1}{s-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{t-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{3m^{2}-s-t}\right)^{2}}##

##\displaystyle{\frac{d\sigma}{d\theta} = \frac{g^{4}}{64\pi^{2}s}\left(\frac{1}{s-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{-\sqrt{s-4m^{2}}(1-\cos\theta)-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{3m^{2}-s+\sqrt{s-4m^{2}}(1-\cos\theta)}\right)^{2}}##

For ##s\gg \sqrt{m}##,

##\displaystyle{\frac{d\sigma}{d\theta} = \frac{g^{4}}{64\pi^{2}s}\left(\frac{1}{s} + \frac{1}{-\sqrt{s}(1-\cos\theta)-m^{2}} + \frac{1}{-s+\sqrt{s}(1-\cos\theta)}\right)^{2}}##

So, the differential cross-section, for a fixed ##s##, is a maximum at angles ##\theta = 2\pi n##, where ##n=0, \pm 1, \pm 2, \dots##.

What do you think?
 
  • #33
I think the square root looks wrong and the expression is dimensionally inconsistent.
 

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