Snowmass White Paper: S-matrix Bootstrap (2203.02421v2)

Abstract: The S-matrix Bootstrap originated on the idea that the S-matrix might be fully constrained by global symmetries, crossing, unitarity, and analyticity without relying on an underlying dynamical theory that may or may not be a quantum field theory. Recently this approach was revived from a somewhat different point of view. Using the same constraints, one numerically maps out the (infinite-dimensional) space of allowed S-matrices that should contain all consistent quantum field theories (and quantum theories of gravity). Moreover, in the best case scenario one finds special points in the space that can be identified with a certain quantum field theory of interest. In that case, the approach allows the numerical computation of the S-matrix without relying on the particular Lagrangian of the theory. In this white paper we summarize the state of the art and discuss the future of the topic.