Time-dependent mean field S-matrix theory

By using the path integral approach to many-body systems, we formulate a time-dependent mean field S-matrix theory of nuclear reactions. Many-body channel eigenstates are constructed by using projection techniques. In this way the S-matrix between the channel eigenstates is expressed as a superposition of S-matrix elements between wave-packet-like states localized in space and time. A field operator representation of the interaction picture S-matrix is derived which enables one to apply the path integral approach. Applying the stationary phase approximation to the path integral representation of the interaction picture S-matrix between the localized states an asymptotically constant time-dependent mean field approximation to this S-matrix is obtained. Finally, the S-matrix between the projected channel eigenstates is obtained by evaluating the integral, arising from the projections, over the space-time positions of the localized states in the stationary phase approximation. The stationary phase conditions select those localized states from the projected channel states for which the mean-field values of energy and momentum coincide with their corresponding channel eigenvalues. (orig.)