Some Asymptotic Results in Field-Theory
Robert F. Cahalan · Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) · 1973
In this thesis we have investigated the large-momentum behavior of two.different physical processes in the context of perturbative quantum field theory.The first process involves a virtual photon probing the structure of the proton due to the stronginteractions~ The second process involves a real photon producing a neutral vector boson, the so-called "zon conjectured in certain theories of the weak interactions.In each case the well-known long-range electromagnetic interaction.'ofthe photon provides a somewhat controlled situation in which to study the short-range interactions.The structure of the proton can cer tainly not be accurately described in our simplified perturbative framework.Nevertheless, we are able to obtain some qualitative understanding df the rapid damping of the protonvs electromagnetic form factor.The ZO production can be accurately described, but the cross section is so strongly suppressed that the existence of o the Z is not likely to be established in this reaction.However, we again find some simple features which add to the qualitative understanding of photoproduction.The great successes of quantum electrodynamics have yet to be even approached in any study of the short-range interactions.The present thesis is to be viewed as part of the general accumulation of experience, prior to any true theory of the short-range interactions.