axiomatic S-matrix theory

axiomatic S-matrix theory

[¦ak·sē·ə¦mad·ik ′es ‚mā·triks ‚thē·ə·rē] (particle physics) An approach to the study of elementary particles that seeks to formulate S-matrix theory in a rigorous manner based on a few fundamental axioms that include Lorentz invariance, unitarity, analyticity near the physical values of the energy and momentum variables, and singularities in the physical region that correspond to known particles and scattering thresholds.