The GKLS Master Equation in High Energy Physics

Abstract

Utilizing the GKLS master equation we show that the decay property of a particle can be straightforwardly incorporated. In standard particle physics the decay is often described by an efficient non-hermitian Hamiltonian, in accord with the seminal Wigner-Weisskopf approximation. We show that by enlarging the Hilbert space and defining specific GKLS operators we have attained a formalism with a hermitian Hamiltonian and probability conserving states. This proves that the Wigner-Weisskopf approximation is Markovian and completely positive. In addition, this formalism allows a straightforward generalization to many-particle decays. Last, but not least, some impacts of the GKLS master equation onto systems at high energies are reported, such as for neutral meson, neutrino and hyperon systems.