Fermi theory of beta decay
E88964
The Fermi theory of beta decay is Enrico Fermi’s pioneering quantum field theory model that explains beta decay as a weak interaction process mediated by a four-fermion contact interaction, laying the groundwork for modern weak interaction theory.
Aliases (3)
Statements (44)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
effective field theory
→
physical theory → quantum field theory → theory of weak interaction → |
| appliesTo |
neutron beta decay
→
nuclear beta decay → |
| approximates |
low-energy limit of weak interaction
→
|
| assumes |
energy and momentum conservation
→
lepton number conservation → neutrino emission in beta decay → point-like weak interaction → |
| breaksDownAt |
high energies
→
|
| describes |
beta decay
→
|
| developer |
Enrico Fermi
→
|
| explains |
continuous beta spectrum
→
existence of neutrino in beta decay → |
| field |
nuclear physics
→
particle physics → theoretical physics → |
| framework |
quantum field theory
→
|
| historicalPrecursorOf |
Standard Model weak interaction
→
electroweak theory → |
| historicalSignificance |
first quantitative theory of beta decay
→
foundation of modern weak interaction theory → |
| inspired |
development of current–current weak interaction models
→
|
| interactionForm |
contact interaction
→
|
| interactionRange |
short-range
→
|
| interactionType |
four-fermion interaction
→
weak interaction → |
| introducesConcept |
Fermi coupling constant
→
|
| LagrangianContains |
four-fermion current–current term
→
|
| laterExtendedTo |
V–A theory
→
|
| originallyAssumed |
vector current
→
|
| predicts |
beta decay rate
→
electron energy spectrum in beta decay → selection rules for beta decay → |
| relatedTo |
Fermi constant
→
Gamow–Teller theory → V–A theory of weak interaction → |
| symbolOfCoupling |
G_F
→
|
| uses |
Dirac fields for nucleons and leptons
→
|
| validAt |
energies much lower than W boson mass
→
|
| yearProposed |
1933
→
|
| yearPublished |
1934
→
|
Referenced by (6)
| Subject (surface form when different) | Predicate |
|---|---|
|
Fermi constant
("low-energy effective weak interaction Lagrangian")
→
Fermi constant ("Fermi’s beta decay Hamiltonian") → |
appearsIn |
|
Enrico Fermi
→
|
knownFor |
|
Enrico Fermi
→
|
notableFor |
|
Fermi theory of beta decay
("V–A theory of weak interaction")
→
|
relatedTo |
|
Fermi constant
→
|
usedIn |