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This is usually called "S-matrix theory", and it is the field gave birth to string theory. Bootstrap models proper only had a limited shelf-life, they were only really constructed for pion-nucleon scattering and I think they predicted the rho a year or two before it was discovered or something like that. But S-matrix theory includes timeless results like the Froissart bound, meson/baryon Regge trajectories, and strings.
No, don't merge. S-matrix is something from field theory. S-matrix theory is a theory based on properties of the S-matrix, but without field theory. The reason that they shouldn't be merged is the following:
The bootstrap models gave equations for the dynamics which are completely unrelated to the stuff on S-matrix.
The bootstrap models include string theory as understood in the 1970s and 1980s, which is not field theory.
What I was suggesting was that this subfield of physics be treated respectfully, with it's own article, it's own history articles, and its own literature summary. Unfortunately, hardly anyone can do it, because the field was so neglected for so long.Likebox (talk) 16:33, 5 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Could someone rewrite this so it is decipherable for those without a physics background, or at least have a non-technical introductory section? As it stands I can't make heads or tails of this article. 173.64.90.135 (talk) 20:57, 20 December 2011 (UTC)[reply]