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.