Zero Zeros After All These (20) Years

Abstract

We celebrate two birthdays connected with the radiation zero phenomenon. First, a striking dip in the theoretical angular distributions of radiative weak-boson production was discovered twenty years ago. The key experimental interest is that this will not occur in any deviation from the standard model. Second, the classical training of Stanley Brodsky began sixty years ago, which was instrumental in understanding why theoretical spin-independent radiation zeros appear in almost all Born amplitudes for the radiation of photons and gluons and other massless gauge bosons (but rarely in physical kinematic regions). And there are approximate zeros for massive bosons and ``Type II'' zeros that can also be studied. We discuss how the difficulties in observing the original Mikaelian-Samuel-Sahdev zero finally may be surmounted next year.