Time Asymmetric Quantum Theory - III. Decaying States and the Causal Poincare Semigroup

Abstract

A relativistic resonance which was defined by a pole of the $S$-matrix, or by a relativistic Breit-Wigner line shape, is represented by a generalized state vector (ket) which can be obtained by analytic extension of the relativistic Lippmann-Schwinger kets. These Gamow kets span an irreducible representation space for Poincaré transformations which, similar to the Wigner representations for stable particles, are characterized by spin (angular momentum of the partial wave amplitude) and complex mass (position of the resonance pole). The Poincaré transformations of the Gamow kets, as well as of the Lippmann-Schwinger plane wave scattering states, form only a semigroup of Poincaré transformations into the forward light cone. Their transformation properties are derived. From these one obtains an unambiguous definition of resonance mass and width for relativistic resonances. The physical interpretation of these transformations for the Born probabilities and the problem of causality in relativistic quantum physics is discussed.

49 pages, 1 figure