S-matrix for s-wave gravitational scattering

TL;DR

This paper derives the 4-particle scattering amplitude in s-wave gravitational interactions, revealing a virtual black hole formation and predicting gravitational decay of s-waves within a 2D dilaton gravity framework.

Contribution

It provides the explicit calculation of the 4-particle matrix element and introduces the novel prediction of s-wave gravitational decay.

Findings

Explicit 4-particle scattering amplitude calculated

Prediction of gravitational decay of s-waves

Interpretation of scattering as virtual black hole formation

Abstract

In the s-wave approximation the 4D Einstein gravity with scalar fields can be reduced to an effective 2D dilaton gravity coupled nonminimally to the matter fields. We study the leading order (tree level) vertices. The 4-particle matrix element is calculated explicitly. It is interpreted as scattering with formation of a virtual black hole state. As one novel feature we predict the gravitational decay of s-waves.