Why Is My Electron-Positron Scattering Cross Section Calculation Incorrect?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the cross-section for electron-positron to muon-antimuon scattering, specifically focusing on the differential cross-section formula and the integration process involved in obtaining the total cross-section. Participants are examining discrepancies between their calculated results and those found in reference materials.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of the differential cross-section, questioning whether the integration should include both angular variables, theta and phi. There is an exploration of potential mistakes in the integration process, with some participants suggesting that the expression for solid angle may not have been applied correctly.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the integration steps, with participants providing insights into the correct form of the solid angle and its implications for the integration. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration limits and the need to consider the correct expression for the differential solid angle.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different textbooks, indicating potential variations in the treatment of the problem. There is a noted confusion regarding the integration limits and the correct application of trigonometric identities in the context of the scattering problem.

Muh. Fauzi M.
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Homework Statement


I have a problem in calculating cross-section in elektron-positron -> muon-antimuon scattering.

Homework Equations


In the relativistic limit, we find the differential cross-section of {e}+{e^-} -> {μ}+{μ^-} is

\frac{d\sigma}{d\Omega}=\frac{\alpha^2}{4s}*(1+cos^2{\theta}).

When I integrating over \theta, i get an answer:

\sigma=\frac{3*\pi*\alpha^2}{8*s},

but that is not the correct answer. Due to my reference (Halzen and Martin), the answer should be

\sigma=\frac{4*\pi*\alpha^2}{3*s}.

The Attempt at a Solution


Can someone help me through this problem? My intuition said I have mistaken the integration. But I've tried to re-integral-ing it, still not come up with correct solution.
 
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Muh. Fauzi M. said:

Homework Statement


I have a problem in calculating cross-section in electron-positron -> muon-antimuon scattering.

Homework Equations


In the relativistic limit, we find the differential cross-section of ##\ \ {e}^+{e^-} -> {μ}^+{μ^-}## is
$$\frac{d\sigma}{d\Omega}=\frac{\alpha^2}{4s}\left (1+cos^2{\theta}\right ) \ .$$
When I integrate over ##\theta##, I get an answer:
$$\sigma=\frac{3\pi\alpha^2}{8s}\ ,$$
but that is not the correct answer. Due to my reference (Halzen and Martin), the answer should be
$$\sigma=\frac{4\pi\alpha^2}{3s}\; .$$

The Attempt at a Solution


Can someone help me through this problem? My intuition sais I have mistaken the integration. But I've tried to re-integrate it, still not come up with correct solution.
Hello,

Is ##d\Omega## just ##d\theta## or has ##\phi## something to do with it too ?

Anyway, show your steps in detail, please. That makaes it easier to follow and point out where things may go wrong...
 

BvU said:
Hello,

Is ##d\Omega## just ##d\theta## or has ##\phi## something to do with it too ?

Anyway, show your steps in detail, please. That makaes it easier to follow and point out where things may go wrong...

Hello Mr., thank you for your respond.

In my first reference (Halzen and Martin), the instructor is to integrate over ##\theta## and ##\phi##. Here is my doodling:

$$ \sigma = \frac{\alpha^2}{4s}\int{(1+cos^2{\theta})}d\theta d\phi $$

Substituting the trigonometry identity,

$$ \sigma = \frac{\alpha^2}{4s} \int {\frac{(3+cos{2\theta})}{2}} d\theta d\phi $$.

Dividing the integration,

$$ \int 3 d\theta d\phi , \quad \int {cos{2\theta}}d\theta d\phi $$

and integrating from ## 0 ## to ## \pi ## for ##\theta##, ##0## to ##2\pi## fpr ##\phi##. The second term is vanish, so I have

$$ \int 3 d\theta d\phi=3(\pi)(2\pi)$$.

Thus, when inserting to ## \sigma ##, I have

$$ \sigma = \frac{3\pi^2\alpha^2}{4s} $$.

Using my second ref (Schwartz), the integration just applied over ##\theta## and I get

$$ \sigma = \frac{3\pi\alpha^2}{8s}$$.

Which step do I miss?
 
If I remember well, ##d\Omega \ne d\phi d\theta ## because then you would end up with ##2\pi^2## where you expect ##4\pi## . Wasn't it ##d\Omega = \sin\theta \;d\theta d\phi ## ?
 
BvU said:
If I remember well, ##d\Omega \ne d\phi d\theta ## because then you would end up with ##2\pi^2## where you expect ##4\pi## . Wasn't it ##d\Omega = \sin\theta \;d\theta d\phi ## ?
Speechless. That's true Mr. Thank you very much. (shy)
 

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