Theoretically predicting half-lives in particle physics

[Moeen]

How can we theoretically predict half lives?

 

[ChrisVer]

It depends on the width of a resonance's peak...
If the width is $Γ$ then you can associate the resonance's lifetime by:
$Γ=\frac{1}{t}$
So in general, to find the width you need to find the cross section as a function of energies... eg Breit Wigner cross section distribution...

In another way, you can calculate the time needed for a part of your particle to leave the potential via a tunneling - for example an alpha particle leaving a heavy nuclei in the potential of strong+coulomb interaction...

 

[Moeen]

Thanks for your reply. I am new to particle physics. Can you suggest any good book for a beginner?

 

[Bill_K]

Thanks for your reply. I am new to particle physics. Can you suggest any good book for a beginner?

Check out the books listed in this thread.