Fermi theory of beta decay

E88964

effective field theory physical theory quantum field theory theory of weak interaction

The Fermi theory of beta decay is Enrico Fermi’s pioneering quantum field theory model that explains beta decay as a weak interaction process mediated by a four-fermion contact interaction, laying the groundwork for modern weak interaction theory.

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All labels observed (8)

Label	Occurrences
Fermi theory of beta decay canonical	7
Fermi’s beta decay Hamiltonian	1
Fermi’s beta decay theory	1
Fermi’s four-fermion interaction	1
Fermi’s theory of beta decay	1
V–A theory of weak interaction	1
V–A theory of weak interactions	1
low-energy effective weak interaction Lagrangian	1

How this entity was disambiguated

This entity first appeared as the object of triple T748444 — resolving that mention is where its identity was fixed. The disambiguator weighed these candidate entities and picked the highlighted one (or “None”, minting a new entity). This is how homonymy is resolved: the same surface form can point to different entities.

NED1 Entity disambiguation (via context triple) gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07

Target entity: Fermi theory of beta decay
Context triple: [Enrico Fermi, knownFor, Fermi theory of beta decay]

A. Bethe–Feynman formula for nuclear explosions
The Bethe–Feynman formula for nuclear explosions is a theoretical expression developed by Hans Bethe and Richard Feynman that estimates the energy yield and behavior of nuclear detonations based on fundamental physical parameters of the device.
B. On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light
"On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" is Albert Einstein’s 1905 paper that introduced the concept of light quanta (photons), laying the foundation for quantum theory and explaining the photoelectric effect.
C. Bethe–Salpeter equation
The Bethe–Salpeter equation is a relativistic quantum field theory equation that describes bound states of two interacting particles, such as electron–hole pairs in quantum electrodynamics.
D. Bethe formula for stopping power
The Bethe formula for stopping power is a fundamental equation in particle physics that quantifies the energy loss of fast charged particles as they pass through matter.
E. Dyson’s proof of equivalence of Feynman and Schwinger–Tomonaga formulations of QED
Dyson’s proof of equivalence of Feynman and Schwinger–Tomonaga formulations of QED is a landmark theoretical result that rigorously demonstrated the mathematical consistency and mutual compatibility of different approaches to quantum electrodynamics.
F. None of above. chosen
G. Unsure - the case is ambiguous/there is not enough information to decide.

NED2 Entity disambiguation (via description) gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07

Target entity: Fermi theory of beta decay
Target entity description: The Fermi theory of beta decay is Enrico Fermi’s pioneering quantum field theory model that explains beta decay as a weak interaction process mediated by a four-fermion contact interaction, laying the groundwork for modern weak interaction theory.

A. Bethe–Feynman formula for nuclear explosions
The Bethe–Feynman formula for nuclear explosions is a theoretical expression developed by Hans Bethe and Richard Feynman that estimates the energy yield and behavior of nuclear detonations based on fundamental physical parameters of the device.
B. On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light
"On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" is Albert Einstein’s 1905 paper that introduced the concept of light quanta (photons), laying the foundation for quantum theory and explaining the photoelectric effect.
C. Bethe–Salpeter equation
The Bethe–Salpeter equation is a relativistic quantum field theory equation that describes bound states of two interacting particles, such as electron–hole pairs in quantum electrodynamics.
D. Bethe formula for stopping power
The Bethe formula for stopping power is a fundamental equation in particle physics that quantifies the energy loss of fast charged particles as they pass through matter.
E. Dyson’s proof of equivalence of Feynman and Schwinger–Tomonaga formulations of QED
Dyson’s proof of equivalence of Feynman and Schwinger–Tomonaga formulations of QED is a landmark theoretical result that rigorously demonstrated the mathematical consistency and mutual compatibility of different approaches to quantum electrodynamics.
F. None of above. chosen

Statements (44)

Predicate	Object
instanceOf	effective field theory ⓘ physical theory ⓘ quantum field theory ⓘ theory of weak interaction ⓘ
appliesTo	neutron beta decay ⓘ nuclear beta decay ⓘ
approximates	low-energy limit of weak interaction ⓘ
assumes	energy and momentum conservation ⓘ lepton number conservation ⓘ neutrino emission in beta decay ⓘ point-like weak interaction ⓘ
breaksDownAt	high energies ⓘ
describes	beta decay ⓘ
developer	Enrico Fermi ⓘ
explains	continuous beta spectrum ⓘ existence of neutrino in beta decay ⓘ
field	nuclear physics ⓘ particle physics ⓘ theoretical physics ⓘ
framework	quantum field theory ⓘ
historicalPrecursorOf	Standard Model weak interaction ⓘ linked to: Salam–Weinberg model electroweak theory ⓘ linked to: Salam–Weinberg model
historicalSignificance	first quantitative theory of beta decay ⓘ foundation of modern weak interaction theory ⓘ
inspired	development of current–current weak interaction models ⓘ
interactionForm	contact interaction ⓘ
interactionRange	short-range ⓘ
interactionType	four-fermion interaction ⓘ weak interaction ⓘ
introducesConcept	Fermi coupling constant ⓘ linked to: Fermi constant
LagrangianContains	four-fermion current–current term ⓘ
laterExtendedTo	V–A theory ⓘ
originallyAssumed	vector current ⓘ
predicts	beta decay rate ⓘ electron energy spectrum in beta decay ⓘ selection rules for beta decay ⓘ
relatedTo	Fermi constant ⓘ Gamow–Teller theory ⓘ V–A theory of weak interaction ⓘ linked to: Fermi theory of beta decay
symbolOfCoupling	G_F ⓘ
uses	Dirac fields for nucleons and leptons ⓘ
validAt	energies much lower than W boson mass ⓘ
yearProposed	1933 ⓘ
yearPublished	1934 ⓘ

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (14)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Enrico Fermi → knownFor → Fermi theory of beta decay ⓘ

Enrico Fermi → notableFor → Fermi theory of beta decay ⓘ

subject linked to: Fermi

Fermi theory of beta decay → relatedTo → V–A theory of weak interaction ⓘ