Density Propagator for a Self-Bound Fermion System. II. Linear Response and Inelastic Electron Scattering

Abstract

Using the Green's-function technique of Martin, Schwinger, and Puff, a calculation is made of the total linear response of nuclear matter, as measurable, for instance, in an inelastic electron or muon scattering experiment. In the independent-pair approximation used, two contributions stand out: the quasielastic response of properly dressed particles with well-defined lifetimes, and the contribution due to the scattering between those particles. An extensive analysis is made of the importance of the transverse component of the electromagnetic interaction as well as of the two mentioned contributions. The properly defined quasielastic scattering is predicted to dominate the scattering. A comparison is made with previous calculations by Czyż and Gottfried.