For finite-range potentials, the compositeness of a bound state is exactly proportional to the probability of finding the particle outside a chosen radius, with a universal factor depending on angular momentum.
The Ontology of Compositeness Within Quantum Field Theory
1 Pith paper cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
1
Pith paper citing it
abstract
In this work, we attempt to define a notion of compositeness compatible with Quantum Field Theory. Considering the analytic properties of the S-matrix, we conclude that there is no satisfactory definition of compositeness compatible with Quantum Field Theory. Without this notion, one must claim that all bound states are equally fundamental, that is, one cannot rigorously claim that everyday objects are made of atoms or that atoms are made of protons and neutrons. I then show how an approximate notion of compositeness may be recovered in the regime where the mass of a bound state is close to a multi-particle threshold. Finally, we see that rejecting compositeness solves several of the "problems of everyday objects" encountered in an undergraduate metaphysics course.
citation-role summary
background 1
citation-polarity summary
fields
nucl-th 1years
2025 1verdicts
ACCEPT 1roles
background 1polarities
unclear 1representative citing papers
citing papers explorer
-
A variation on "compositeness" (including higher partial waves)
For finite-range potentials, the compositeness of a bound state is exactly proportional to the probability of finding the particle outside a chosen radius, with a universal factor depending on angular momentum.