Quantum Mechanics

Cambridge Books Online
http://ebooks.cambridge.org/
Problems and Solutions in Quantum Mechanics
Kyriakos Tamvakis
Book DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614781
Online ISBN: 9780511614781
Hardback ISBN: 9780521840873
Paperback ISBN: 9780521600576
Chapter
10 - Scattering pp. 304-331
Chapter DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614781.011
Cambridge University Press
10
Scattering
Problem 10.1 Consider the scattering of particles of a given energy in a central
potential of nite range.
(a) Show that the energy eigenfunctions
(+)
k
(r) depend only on r, an angle and the energy
E. The angle can be taken to be cos
1
(k r). On which variables does the scattering
amplitude f
k
(r) depend?
(b) Calculate the asymptotic probability current density corresponding to
(+)
k
(r) and show
that it can always be written as
J = J
i
+J
sc
+LJ
where the rst term corresponds to the incident particles and the second to the scattered
particles.
1
What is the explanation of the third term? Show that
_
S
dS J
sc
=
_
S
dS LJ
where S
is a spherical surface of innite radius with origin at the centre of the

potential.
(c) Use the above to prove the optical theorem,
=
4
k
Im
_
f
k
(
k)
_
1
You may use the relation
_
1
1
d cos F()e
i kr cos
=
i
kr
_
F(0)e
i kr
F()e
i kr
_
+ O
_
1
r
2
_
304
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614781.011
10 Scattering 305
Solution
(a) The integral solution to the Schroedinger equation in the asymptotic region
is
2
k
(r)
e
i kr cos
(2)
3,2

e
i kr
r
_
m
2 h
2
_ _
d
3
r
e
i k rr
V(r
)
k
(r
)
=
1
(2)
3,2
_
e
i kr cos
+
e
i kr
r
f
k
()
_
It is clear that the second term depends only on k and r. Thus the right-hand side
depends on k, r and .
(b) Calculating rst the gradient
k
(r. ) =
1
(2)
3,2
_
i ke
i kr cos
+
e
i kr
r
2
_
r f
k
() (1 +i kr) +

f
k
()
_ _
and substituting it into the probability current density, we obtain
J = J
i
+J
sc
+LJ
where
J
i
=
1
(2)
3
_
hk
m
_
. J
sc
=
1
(2)
3
_
hk
m
_
| f
k
()|
2
r
2
r
and
LJ =
h
2mi (2)
3
_
1
r
__
i k f
k
()e
i kr(1cos )
+ r
_
i k
1
r
_
f
k
()e
i kr(1cos )
+

f
k
()
e
i kr(1cos )
c.c.
_
+ O(r
3
)
This expression represents the interference between the incident and the scattered
waves.
Integrating on the surface of a sphere centred at the origin and taking its radius
to innity, we must have, from probability conservation,
_
S
dS J = 0 =
_
S
dS J
i
=
_
S
dS (J
sc
+LJ)
Note however that
_
S
dS J
i
=
h
m(2)
3
_
dS k =
hk R
2
m(2)
3
_
1
1
(d cos ) cos = 0
2
The approximation
|r r
| r r r
is valid in the asymptotic region.

306 Problems and Solutions in Quantum Mechanics
Therefore
_
S
dS J
sc
=
_
S
dS LJ
(c) The total cross section is given by
3
=
_
dO| f
k
()|
2
=
1
r
2
_
S
r
dS | f
k
()|
2
=
1
r
2
_
S
R
dS r| f
k
()|
2
=
m(2)
3
hk
_
S
dS J
sc
=
m(2)
3
hk
_
S
dS LJ
As is clear fromthe expression for LJ derived above, the angular (

) component
will not contribute. We get
=
1
2kr
_
S
dS
_
k f
k
() e
i kr(1cos )
+ r k f
k
() e
i kr(1cos )
+ c.c.
_
= r
_
1
1
d cos (1 +cos )
_
f
k
()e
i kr
e
i kr cos
+c.c.
_
=
k
_
2i f
k
(0) 2i f
k
(0)
_
=
4
k
Im[ f
k
(0)]
Problem 10.2 Consider an attractive delta-shell potential ( > 0)
V(r) =
h
2
2j
(r a)
(a) Calculate the phase shift
(k), where is the angular momentum quantum number.

(b) In the case = 0, investigate the existence of bound states by examining the analytic
properties of the partial scattering amplitude. Are there any resonances?
Solution
(a) The radial energy eigenfunction can be written as
R
k.
(r) =
_
R
(-)
k.
(r) = Aj
(kr). 0 - r - a
R
(>)
k.
(r) = B [ j
(kr) cos
(kr) sin
] . a - r -
Continuity of the wave function at r = a implies that
R
(-)
k.
(a) = R
(>)
k.
(a) =
A
B
= cos
sin
(ka)
j
(ka)
Discontinuity of the radial derivative at the same point gives
R
k.
(a +c) R
k.
(a c) = R
k.
(a)
3
We take r .
10 Scattering 307
or
B
_
j
(ka) cos
(ka) sin
_
Aj
k.
(ka) = Aj
k.
(ka)
Finally, using both the equations relating Aand B, we obtain the required expression
for the phase shift:
tan
=
j
2
(ka)
j
(ka)n
(ka) n
(ka) j
(ka) +n
(ka) j
(ka)
We can also write down an expression for the partial scattering amplitude. It is
S
(k) = exp [2i
(k)] 1 =
2 tan
i +tan
or
4
S
(k) =
2i j
2
(ka)
j
(ka)n
(ka) n
(ka) j
(ka) +j
(ka)h
()
(ka)
(b) For s-waves ( = 0), we have
S
0
(k) =
2i a sin ka
ka,sin ka ae
i ka
Now introducing
5
ka i . a g
we get
S
0
=
2g sinh
,sinh ge
The condition for bound states is

e
2
= 1
2
g
It is clear that for g > 1 there is a single solution to this equation. Thus, there is
one bound state provided that
g > 1
The absolute square of the partial scattering amplitude is the appropriate quantity
that will appear in the scattering cross section. Reintroducing = ka, we have
1
4
|S
0
|
2
=
g
2
sin
2
(,sin g cos )
2
+ g
2
sin
2
4
h
()
= n
i j
.
5
Bound states will correspond to imaginary values of the wave number, i.e. negative energies.
It is clear that the function on the right-hand side becomes largest, i.e. unity,
when
sin
= g cos
Approximate solutions of this equation are
n
2n
_
1 +
1
g
_
+ O
_
1
g
2
_
These points are solutions for values of the coupling much larger than the integer
n, namely
g n
The related values of the energy correspond to resonances. Near a resonance, we
can write
1
4
|S
0
|
2
(2n,g)
4
(2n,g)
4
+(
n
)
2
Problem 10.3 Particles of a given energy scatter on an innitely hard sphere of
radius a.
(a) Calculate the phase shift
(k).
(b) For s-waves ( = 0), nd the values of the energy for which the partial cross section
becomes maximal.
(c) Consider the case of lowenergies (ka 1), write an approximate expression for
and
explain why the cross section is dominated by s-waves and is isotropic. Compare the
low-energy cross section with the geometric value a
2
.
Solution
(a) The radial wave function, written in terms of the phase shift, is
R
k.
(r) = A [ j
(kr) cos
(kr) sin
]
It has to vanish for r a. Thus, we obtain
tan
=
j
(ka)
n
(ka)
(b) The total cross section can be written as
=
4
k
2
=0
(2 +1) sin
2
(k)
10 Scattering 309
The s-wave partial cross section is
0
=
4
k
2
sin
2
0
=
4
k
2
_
1
1 +cot
2
0
_
From (a) we have
tan
0
=
j
0
(ka)
n
0
(ka)
= tan(ka) = cot
2
0
= cot
2
ka
Thus
0
=
4
k
2
_
1
1 +cot
2
ka
_
and its maximal values are achieved for
k =

2a
(2n +1) (n = 0. 1. . . .)
(c) From the behaviour of the spherical Bessel functions near zero, we obtain
tan

(ka)
2+1
(2 +1)!!(2 1)!!
= (2 +1)
(ka)
2+1
[(2 +1)!!]
2
It is clear that the scattering is dominated by = 0, for which both tan
and the
cross section have their largest values.
The low-energy cross section for s-waves is
0

4
k
2
1
1 +(ka)
2

4
k
2
(ka)
2
= 4a
2
This is four times the geometric cross section, a
2
. The reason is that the whole
surface of the sphere participates in the quantummechanical scattering process, not
just the two-dimensional section of the sphere.
Problem10.4 Consider the scattering of a particle froma real spherically symmet-
ric potential. If d(),dO is the differential cross section and is the total cross
section, show that

4
k
_
d(0)
dO
Verify this inequality explicitly for a general central potential using the partial-wave
expansion of the scattering amplitude and the cross section.
Solution
The differential cross section is related to the scattering amplitude through
d()
dO
= | f
k
() |
2
Since | f |
2
= (Re f )
2
+(Im f )
2
(Im f )
2
, we can write
d()
dO
[Im f
k
()]
2
On the other hand, from the optical theorem we have
=
4
k
Im f
k
(0)
4
k
_
d(0)
dO
For a central potential the scattering amplitude is
f
k
() =
1
k
=0
(2 +1)e
i
sin
(cos )
and, in terms of this, the differential cross section is
d()
dO
=
1
k
2
=0
=0
(2 +1)(2
+1) e
i
sin
sin
(cos )P
(cos )
The total cross section is
=
4
2
k
2
=0
(2 +1) sin
2
Using the fact that P
(1) = 1, we obtain
d(0)
dO
=
1
k
2
=0
(2 +1)e
i
sin
2
=
1
k
2
=0
(2 +1)
_
sin
cos
+i sin
2
2
=
1
k
2
_

=0
(2 +1) sin
cos
_
2
+
1
k
2
_

=0
(2 +1) sin
2
_
2
=
d(0)
dO
1
k
2
_

=0
(2 +1) sin
2
_
2
=
k
2
2
16
2
Problem 10.5 The radial Greens function is dened by the equation
1
r
2
d
dr
_
r
2
d
dr
G
k.
(r. r
)
_
+
_
k
2
( +1)
r
2
_
G
k.
(r. r
) =
1
r
2
(r r
)
(a) Verify the choice
G
()
k.
(r. r
) = C
_
(r
r) j
(kr)h
()
(kr
) +(r r
) j
(kr
)h
()
(kr)
_
10 Scattering 311
by substituting in the above differential equation. Also nd the normalization
constant C.
(b) Show that the radial wave function satises the integral equation
6
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr) +
_

0
dr
2
U(r
)G
k.
(r. r
)R
k.
(r
)
Solution
(a) Using the fact that j
and h
()
are solutions of the free radial Schroedinger

equation, as well as the identity n
(x) j
(x) j
(x)n
(x) = 1,x
2
, we can verify that
the Greens functionG
k.
(r. r
) is a solutionof the above equation. The normalization

constant is C = k.
(b) Acting with the radial Schroedinger operator on both sides of the above
integral equation, we get
U(r)R(r) = 0 +
_

0
dr
r
2
U(r
)
1
r
2
(r r
)R(r
) = U(r)R(r)
Problem 10.6 Consider the double delta-shell potential V(r) = ( h
2
,2m)U(r),
where
U(r) =
1
(r a
1
)
2
(r a
2
)
with a
2
> a
1
> 0, and calculate the phase shift
. In the case of s-waves ( = 0)

investigate the existence of bound states and resonances.
Solution
Introducing the potential into the integral equation of the previous problem, we
obtain the solution
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr)
1
a
2
1
G
k.
(r. a
1
)R
k.
(a
1
)
2
a
2
2
G
k.
(r. a
2
)R
k.
(a
2
)
In the three different regions, we have the following expressions for the Greens
function:
For r a
2
> a
1
,
G
k.
(r. a
1.2
) = kj
(ka
1.2
) h
()
(kr)
For a
1
r a
2
,
G
k.
(r. a
1
) = kj
(ka
1
) h
()
(kr)
and
G
k.
(r. a
2
) = kj
(kr) h
()
(ka
2
)
For r a
1
- a
2
,
G
k.
(r. a
1.2
) = kj
(kr) h
()
(ka
1.2
)
6
U = (2m, h
2
)V.
Introducing
g
i
ka
2
i

i
. R
k.
(a
i
) R
i
j
(ka
i
) j
i
. h
()
(ka
i
) h
i
where i = 1. 2, we get
R
k.
(r) =
(kr) (g
1
R
1
j
1
+ g
2
R
2
j
2
) h
()
(kr). r a
2
> a
1
(1 g
2
R
2
h
2
) j
(kr) g
1
j
1
R
1
h
()
(kr). a
1
r a
2
j
(kr) (1 g
1
R
1
h
1
g
2
R
2
h
2
) . r a
1
- a
2
These expressions carry R
1
and R
2
as unknown parameters. These can be deter-
mined from the system of the two equations that we get by considering the top
expression at r = a
2
and the bottom at r = a
1
, namely
(g
1
j
1
h
2
) R
1
+(1 + g
2
j
2
h
2
) R
2
= j
2
(1 + g
1
h
1
j
1
) R
1
+(g
2
h
2
j
1
) R
2
= j
1
Since we are interested in the phase shift, it sufces to consider the external wave
function, which has the form
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr) (g
1
R
1
j
1
+ g
2
R
2
j
2
) h
()
(kr) = j
(kr) Ah
()
(kr)
and in which a particular combination of R
1
and R
2
appears. Solving for this
combination, we get
A =
g
i
j
2
1
+ g
2
j
2
2
+ g
1
g
2
j
1
j
2
( j
2
h
1
j
1
h
2
)
1 + g
1
j
1
h
1
+ g
2
h
2
j
2
+ g
1
g
2
j
1
h
2
( j
2
h
1
j
1
h
2
)
and, thus,
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr)
g
i
j
2
1
+ g
2
j
2
2
+ g
1
g
2
j
1
j
2
( j
2
h
1
j
1
h
2
)
1 + g
1
j
1
h
1
+ g
2
h
2
j
2
+ g
1
g
2
j
1
h
2
( j
2
h
1
j
1
h
2
)
h
()
(kr)
for r > a
2
> a
1
.
Setting
1 + g
2
j
2
n
2
+ g
1
j
1
n
1
+ g
1
g
2
n
2
j
1
( j
2
n
1
j
1
n
2
)
g
1
j
2
1
+ g
2
j
2
2
+ g
1
g
2
j
1
j
2
( j
2
n
1
j
1
n
2
)
we can write
A =

+i

10 Scattering 313
which implies that the external radial wave function can be given as
R
k.
(r) =
1
+i
(kr)
(kr)]
= exp
_
i tan
1
_
__
[ j
(kr) cos
(kr) sin
]
Thus, the nal expression for the phase shift is
tan
=
g
1
j
2
1
+ g
2
j
2
2
+ g
1
g
2
j
1
j
2
( j
2
n
1
j
1
n
2
)
1 + g
2
j
2
n
2
+ g
1
j
1
n
1
+ g
1
g
2
n
2
j
1
( j
2
n
1
j
1
n
2
)
For s-waves ( = 0) the phase shift is just
tan
0
=

0
0
where
0
and
0
are obtained by substituting j
0
(ka
i
) = (sin ka
i
),ka
i
and n
0
(ka
i
) =
(cos ka
i
),ka
i
. The explicit expressions are
0
= 1

1
2k
sin 2ka
1

2
2k
sin 2ka
2
+
2
4k
2
{1 +cos[2k(a
1
a
2
)] +cos 2ka
1
cos 2ka
2
}
and
0
=

1
2k
+

2
2k

1
2k
cos 2ka
1

2
2k
cos 2ka
2
+
2
4k
2
{sin [2k(a
1
a
2
)] +sin 2ka
2
sin 2ka
1
}
The partial scattering amplitude is
S
0
= e
2i
0
1 =
2 tan
0
i +tan
0
=
2i
0
0
i
0
Bound states correspond to
0
= i
0
(k = i )
and resonances correspond to positive energy values that make the partial cross
section
1
4
|S
0
|
2
=

2
0
2
0
+
2
0
maximal, i.e.
0
(k) = 0
The explicit condition for bound states is
1

1
2

2
2

1
2
sinh 2a
1

2
2
sinh 2a
2
+

1
2
cosh 2a
1
+

2
2
cosh 2a
2
=

1
2
4
2
{1 +cosh[2(a
1
a
2
)] +cosh 2a
1
cosh 2a
2
+ sinh[2(a
1
a
2
)] +sinh 2a
2
sinh 2a
1
}
Introducing the dimensionless numbers

a
2
a
1
.
i

i
a
i
. 2a
1
we can write this condition as
f () =
2
1

2
+
1
e
+
2
e
+
1
2
_
1 e
(1)
e
+e
_
= 0
At the origin, = 0, we have
f (0) = f
(0) = 0
and
f
(0) = 2[ (
1
+
2
) +
1
2
( 1)]
For very large values , we get f ()
2
. Thus, there will be one zero of
f () corresponding to one bound state, provided that
1
+
2
>
1
2
1
+1
This is equivalent to
1
a
1
+
2
a
2
> 1 +
1
2
a
1
(a
2
a
1
)
As an example, we consider the special case
1
=
2
= a
1
1
, a
2
= 2a
1
. Plotting
f () in this case, we get the graph shown in Fig. 43. By inspection of the graph we
can safely conclude that in the = 0 case there will be one bound state.
The condition for resonance takes the explicit form
g( ) =
2
1
sin
2
sin
+
1
2
{1 +cos[( 1) ] +cos cos } = 0
with 2ka
1
. For this function goes to +, while at the origin we have
g(0) = g
(0) = 0
10 Scattering 315
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
1
1
2
Fig. 43 Plot of f ().
0.5 1 1.5 2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
Fig. 44 Plot of g( ).
and
g
(0) = 2(1
1
2
) + g
1
g
2
( 1)(2 )
There will be a zero and, therefore, resonance, provided that
1
+
2
> 1 +
1
2
( 1)( 2)
2
or, equivalently, that
1
a
1
+
2
a
2
> 1 +

1
2
2
(a
2
a
1
)(a
2
2a
1
)
For the special value of the couplings and radii considered previously, g( ) is as
shown in Fig. 44.
Problem 10.7 Consider the one-dimensional delta function potential
V(x) =
h
2
2m
(x)
(a) Solve the energy eigenvalue problem for both signs of the coupling . Verify the ortho-
normality and completeness of the eigenfunctions. In the case of the continuum (scat-
tering states), write the eigenfunctions in terms of the scattering amplitude. Examine
the analytic properties of the scattering amplitude in the k-plane. Are there poles? What
do they correspond to?
(b) Determine the one-dimensional Greens function
_
d
2
dx
2
+k
2
_
G
k
(x. x
) = 4(x x
)
andsolve the above eigenvalue problemwiththe helpof the scatteringintegral equation
7
k
(x) =
(0)
k
(x)
1
4
_
dx
G
k
(x. x
)U(x
)
k
(x
)
Solution
(a) For the continuum (0 - E = h
2
k
2
,2m) the energy eigenfunctions are
k
(x) =
x - 0.
1
2
_
e
i kx
+ f e
i kx
_
x > 0.
1
2
ge
i kx
From the continuity of the wave functions at the origin, we get
g = 1 + f
and from the discontinuity of the derivative
(+0)
(0) = (0)
or
2i k f = (1 + f )
These lead to the form
k
(x) =
1
2
_
e
i kx
+ f (k)e
i k|x|
_
with
f (k) =
1
1 +2i k,
Note however that the eigenfunctions
k
(x) =
1
2
_
e
i kx
+ f (k)e
i k|x|
_
7
U 2mV, h
2
.
10 Scattering 317
correspond to the same energy. The latter describe a particle incident on the potential
from the right, while the former describe one incident from the left.
In the case of an attractive potential ( - 0) there is also a single bound state
with wave function
L
(x) =
e
|x|
=
_
||,2 e
|| |x|,2
corresponding to the energy
E
L
=
h
2
2
2m
=
h
2
2
8m
The proof of orthonormality is straightforward:
_
+
dx
k
(x)
k
(x)
=
_
+
dx
2
_
e
i kx
+ f (k)e
i k|x|
_
_
e
i k
x
+ f (k
)e
i k
|x|
_
= (k k
) +
_
+
dx
2
_
e
i kx+i k
|x|
f (k
)+e
i k
xi k|x|
f (k)
+ f (k) f (k
)e
i (kk
)|x|
_
= (k k
)
_
i
_
1
k
2
k
2
_
k
f (k
) +k f (k) +(k +k
) f (k) f (k
)
_
= (k k
)
Similarly, for the orthogonality of the continuum states to the discrete state, we
have
_
+
dx
L
(x)
k
(x) =
_

2
_
+
dx e
|x|
_
e
i kx
+ f (k)e
i k|x|
_
= 0
taking into account that f
1
(k) = 1 i k,.
Completeness corresponds to
_
+
0
dk
k
(x)
k
(0) +
_
+
0
dk

k
(x)

k
(0) +
L
(x)
L
(0) = (x)
Using the fact that
f + f
= 2| f |
2
and that
f
(k) = f (k)
we can write the continuum contribution above as
_
+
0
dk
2
_
e
i kx
+ f (k)e
i k|x|
_ _
1 + f
(k)
_
+
_
0
dk
2
_
e
i kx
+ f
(k)e
i k|x|
_
[1 + f (k)]
Thus, we arrive at the following form for the left-hand side of the completeness
relation:
(x) +
_
+
0
dk
2
_
e
i kx
f
+e
i kx
f
+( f f
)e
i k|x|
_
+O()e
|x|
= (x) +
_
+
dk
2
f (k)e
i k|x|
+O()e
|x|
= (x)
The integration has been performed in the upper complex k-plane and it gives a
non-vanishing result only when the pole of the amplitude (1 +2i k,)
1
is there,
i.e. when - 0.
The scattering amplitude is
f (k) =
1
1 +2i k,
and it has a pole for
k = i
L
=
i
2
This pole corresponds to a bound state ( - 0).
(b) Solving the Greens function equation through a Fourier transform,
G
k
(x x
) =
_
dq
2
G
k
(q)e
i q(xx
)
= 2
_
dq
e
i q(xx
)
q
2
k
2
+i c
we obtain
G
k
(x x
) =
2i
k
e
i k|xx
|
Substituting this Greens function into the integral equation we get exactly the same
scattering solutions as those we examined above.
Problem 10.8 Prove the formula
e
i
sin
= k
_

0
dr r
2
U(r) j
(kr)R
k.
(r)
10 Scattering 319
and get from it a closed expression for the phase shift in the Born approximation.
Apply this last expression for the potential
V(r) = g
2
e
jr
with = 0.
Solution
Using the integral equation
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr) +
_

0
dr
2
U(r
)G
k.
(r. r
)R
k.
(r
)
and substituting the Greens function in the asymptotic region r , we obtain
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr) +kh
()
(kr)
_

0
dr
2
U(r
) j
(kr
)R
k.
(r
)
This is of the form
R
k.
(r) = j
(kr) + Xh
()
(kr)
with
X k
_

0
dr
2
U(r
) j
(kr
)R
k.
(r
)
However, from the asymptotic behaviour of R
k.
(r),
R
k.
(r)
1
kr
sin
_
kr

2
+
_
= j
(kr) +
i
2
(e
2i
1) h
()
(kr)
we obtain that
i
2
(e
2i
1) = k
_

0
dr
2
U(r
) j
(kr
)R
k.
(r
)
or
e
i
sin
= k
_

0
dr
2
U(r
) j
(kr
)R
k.
(r
)
In the Born approximation, we can assume that
is small and also replace the

radial eigenfunction in the integrand with j
(kr). Then we get
k
_

0
dr
2
U(r
) j
2
(kr
)
For the particular potential
U(r) =
2mg
2
h
2
e
jr
we obtain
=
2mg
2
k
h
2
_

0
dr r
2
e
jr
j
2
(kr) =
2mg
2
k
2
h
2
_

0
dx x
2
e
jx,k
j
2
(x)
For s-waves, we get
0
=
mg
2
k
2
h
2
_

0
dx e
jx,k
(1 cos 2x)
=
mg
2
jk h
2
1
1 +(j,2k)
2
This is negative for our repulsive potential.
Problem 10.9
(a) Prove the identity
G
()
(E) = G
()
0
(E)
_
1 + VG
()
(E)
_
with
G
()
0
(E) (E i c H
0
)
1
. G
()
(E) (E i c H)
1
(b) From the equation
|
()
k
= |k + G
()
(E)V|k
derive the operator scattering equation (the SchwingerLipmann equation)
|
()
k
= |k + G
()
0
(E)V|
()
k

(c) Establish the orthonormality property
()
k
|
()
k
= k
|k = (k k
)
(d) If k
= k, prove the relation
()
k
|V|k = k
|V|
(+)
k

(e) Introduce the operator
T(E) V + VG
(+)
(E)V
and show that
T(E) T
(E) = 2i V(E H) V
10 Scattering 321
Solution
(a) Multiplying by G
1
0
from the left and G
1
from the right, we arrive at the
identity
G
1
0
= G
1
+ V E H
0
= E H + V
(b) We have
|k = (1 + GV)
1
|
k
This, substituted back, gives

|
k
= |k + GV(1 + GV)
1
|
k
This would be the SchwingerLipmann equation if

GV(1 + GV)
1
= G
0
V
which is equivalent to
GV = G
0
V(1 + GV)
or
GV = G
0
(1 + VG)V
This, thanks to the identity proved in (a), is always true.
(c) We have
k
|
k
=
k
| [1 + G(E)V] |k =
k
|k +
k
|(E H)
1
V|k
=
k
|k +
k
|(E E
)
1
V|k =
k
|k
k
|V(E
H
0
)
1
|k
=
k
|k
k
|VG
0
(E
)|k =
k
|
_
1 VG
0
(E
)
_
|k
= k
|k = (k k
)
(d)
()
k
|V|k = k
|
_
1 + G
()
(E)V
_
V|k = k
|
_
1 + VG
(+)
(E)
_
V|k
= k
|V
_
1 + G
(+)
(E)V
_
|k = k
|V|
(+)
k

(e)
T(E) T
(E) = V
_
1
E +i c H

1
E i c H
_
V
= V
2i c
(E H)
2
+c
2
V = 2i V(E H)V
k
k
e
e
Fig. 45 Scattering from a dipole.
Problem10.10 Consider an electric dipole consisting of two electric charges e and
e at a mutual distance 2a. Consider also a particle of charge e and mass m with
an incident wave vector k perpendicular to the direction of the dipole; see Fig. 45.
(a) Calculate the scattering amplitude in the Born approximation. Find the directions at
which the differential cross section is maximal.
(b) Consider a different system with a target consisting of two arbitrary charges q
1
and q
2
similarly placed. Calculate again the scattering amplitude and the directions of maximal
scattering.
Solution
(a) The potential created by the dipole is
V(r) =
e
2
|r +a|
+
e
2
|r a|
We have placed the charge e at a and the charge e at a. The scattering amplitude
in the Born approximation is
f
k
(k
) =
4
2
m
h
2
k
|V|k =
4
2
me
2
h
2
_
d
3
r
(2)
3
e
i rq
_
1
|r +a|
+
1
|r a|
_
=
4
2
me
2
h
2
_
d
3
r
(2)
3
e
i rq
1
r
_
e
i qa
+e
i qa
_
We have denoted q k k
. The integral involved is

_
d
3
r e
i rq
1
r
= 2
_

0
dr r
_
1
1
(d cos ) e
i qr cos
=
4
q
2
Thus, the scattering amplitude is
f
k
(k
) =
2me
2
h
2
1
q
2
_
e
i qa
+e
i qa
_
=
4i me
2
h
2
_
sin q a
q
2
_
10 Scattering 323
Taking k = k z anda = a x, we have k
= k sin x +k cos z, q
2
= 2k
2
(1 cos )
and q a = ka sin . Thus
f
k
(k
2
=
4m
2
e
4
( hk)
4
sin
2
(ka sin )
(1 cos )
2
The cross section becomes maximal when
2a sin =

k
(2n +1) =

2
(2n +1)
(b) The scattering amplitude will be
f
k
(k
) =
4
2
me
h
2
_
d
3
r
(2)
3
e
i rq
1
r
_
q
2
e
i qa
+q
1
e
i qa
_
=
2me
h
2
1
q
2
_
q
2
e
i qa
+q
1
e
i qa
_
=
me
( hk)
2
(q
1
+q
2
) cos(ka sin ) +i (q
1
q
2
) sin(ka sin )
1 cos
The differential cross section is
f
k
(k
2
=
m
2
e
2
( hk)
4
(q
1
+q
2
)
2
cos
2
(ka sin ) +(q
1
q
2
)
2
sin
2
(ka sin )
(1 cos )
2
=
m
2
e
2
( hk)
4
q
2
1
+q
2
2
+2q
1
q
2
cos(2ka sin )
(1 cos )
2
For q
1
q
2
> 0, maximal cross section is achieved at
2a sin = n
2
k
= n
while if q
1
q
2
- 0 it is achieved at
2a sin = (2n +1)
k
= (2n +1)
2
Problem 10.11 Consider the scattering of particles of mass m from an attractive
potential that has a constant strength V
0
within a sphere of radius R but vanishes
elsewhere. Calculate the differential and the total cross section for k R 1 (i.e.
small energies).
Solution
The phase shift is given by the formula
tan
=
j
(k R)
(k R)
n
(k R)
(k R)
where
is the logarithmic derivative

8
at r = R. In the limit k R 1, using the
small-argument behaviour of the spherical Bessel functions, we get
tan

(2 +1)
[(2 +1)!!]
2
(k R)
2+1

R + +1
These phase shifts are small; the scattering will be dominated by small values of .
The differential cross section is
d
dO
1
k
2
|
0
+3
1
P
1
(cos ) + |
2
C
0
+C
1
cos +
where
C
0
=

2
0
k
2
= R
2
R
2
2
0
(1 + R
0
)
2
C
1
=
6
0
1
k
2
= 2R
2
(k R)
2

0
R(1 + R
1
)
(1 + R
0
)(2 + R
1
)
and
C
1
C
0
= 2(k R)
2
(1 + R
1
)(1 + R
0
)
R
0
(2 + R
1
)
It is clear that C
1
,C
0
1 in the limit of low energies.
The total cross section will be
=
_
dO (C
0
+C
1
cos + ) 4C
0
= 4 R
2
_

0
R
1 +
0
R
_
2
= 4 R
2
_
1
tan q R
q R
_
2
Problem10.12 The scattering amplitude of a particle of mass m in a potential V(r)
can be written as
f
k
( r) =
4m
2
h
2
_
k
(+)
k
_
where
(+)
k
is the scattering wave function, which satises the integral equation
9
(+)
k
_
=
k
_
+ G
(+)
0
(E) V

(+)
k
_
Write down the Born expansion of the scattering amplitude. Using the optical
8
The logarithmic derivative at r = R is
= j
(q R), j
(q R). The wave number q is dened as q

_
2m(E + V
0
), h
2
.
9
The Greens function operator is dened as
G
(+)
(E) =
1
E +i c H
10 Scattering 325
theorem calculate the total cross section for the potential V(r) = g
2
e
jr
to the
lowest non-trivial order.
Solution
The scattering amplitude in the forward direction is
f
k
(k) =
4
2
m
h
2
_
k
(+)
k
_
=
4
2
m
h
2
_
k|V|k +k|VG
(+)
0
(E)V|k +
_
Its imaginary part will be
Im[ f
k
(k)] =
4
2
m
h
2
_
Im[k|V|k] + Im
_
k|VG
(+)
0
(E)V|k
_
+
_
=
2
2
m
i h
2
_
k
V
_
1
E +i c H
0
1
E i c H
0
_
V
k
_
=
2
2
m
i h
2
(2i )
_
k
V
c
(E H
0
)
2
+c
2
V
k
_
=
4
3
m
h
2
k|V(EH
0
)V|k =
4
3
m
h
2
k|V
_
d
3
q |qq|(EH
0
)V|k
=
4
3
m
h
2
_
d
3
q k|V|q q|V|k (E(k) E(q))
=
4
3
m
h
2
_
d
3
q |k|V|q|
2
(E(k) E(q))
=
8
3
m
2
h
4
_
d
3
q |k|V|q|
2
(q
2
k
2
)
Let us now calculate the potential matrix element, rst setting Q k q. We
have
k|V|q = g
2
_
d
3
r
(2)
3
e
i Qrjr
=
g
2
4
2
_

0
dr r
2
e
jr
_
1
1
(d cos ) e
i Qr cos
=
i g
2
4
2
Q
_

0
drr
_
e
(j+i Q)r
e
(ji Q)r
_
=
i g
2
4
2
Q
j
_

0
dr
_
e
(j+i Q)r
e
(ji Q)r
_
=
i g
2
4
2
Q
j
_
1
j +i Q

1
j i Q
_
=
i g
2
4
2
Q
_
1
(j +i Q)
2

1
(j i Q)
2
_
=
jg
2
2
1
(j
2
+ Q
2
)
2
For q = k, we may write
Q
2
= 2k
2
(1 cos )
Thus, the imaginary part of the scattering amplitude is
Im[ f
k
(k)] =
8g
4
j
2
m
2
h
4
_
d
3
q
1
(j
2
+ Q
2
)
4
(q
2
k
2
)
=
8g
4
j
2
m
2
2
h
4
_

0
dq q(q k)
_
1
1
(d cos )
1
(j
2
+ Q
2
)
4
=
8g
4
kj
2
m
2
2
h
4
_
1
1
(d cos )
1
(j
2
+2k
2
2k
2
cos )
4
=
g
4
j
2
m
2
2
2k
7
h
4
_
1
1
(d cos )
1
(j
2
,2k
2
1 +cos )
4
=
16
3
_
g
4
m
2
k
2
h
4
j
4
_
3j
2
(j
2
+4k
2
) +16k
4
(j
2
+4k
2
)
3
The total cross section is
=
_
64
3
g
4
m
2
3 h
4
j
4
_
3j
2
(j
2
+4k
2
) +16k
4
(j
2
+4k
2
)
3
Problem 10.13 Consider a one-dimensional potential that vanishes beyond some
point, i.e. V(x) = 0 for |x| a > 0.
(a) The scattering wave functions satisfy the following integral equation
10
(+)
k
(x) =
k
(x) +
_

dx
G
(+)
0
(x x
)V(x
)
(+)
k
(x
)
where
k
(x) = e
i kx
,
2. Determine the Greens function G

(+)
0
(x x
). Show that it
can be written as the position matrix element of an operator.
(b) Show that in the asymptotic region |x| a, we can write
k
(x)
k
(x) +
e
i k|x|
2
f (k. k
)
Determine the scattering amplitude f (k. k
) in terms of V and .
(c) What is the connection of the scattering amplitude f (k. k
) to the reection and transmis-

sion coefcients, familiar from standard one-dimensional problems? Prove the relation
Re [ f (k. k)] =
1
2
_
| f (k. k)|
2
+| f (k. k)|
2
_
10
The wave number corresponds to the energy in the standard way, E = h
2
k
2
,2m.
10 Scattering 327
(d) Consider the exactly soluble problem for which V(x) = g(x). Calculate the scattering
amplitude in the Born approximation and compare with the known exact answer. Show
that, in the attractive case, the Born approximation is valid only when the energy is large
in comparison to the bound-state energy.
Solution
(a) Acting on both sides of the integral equation with the operator H
0
E, we
obtain
[H
0
(x) E]
(+)
k
(x)
= [H
0
(x) E]
k
(x) +
_

dx
[H
0
(x) E] G
(+)
0
(x x
)V(x
)
(+)
k
(x
)
or
V(x)
(+)
k
(x) =
_

dx
[H
0
(x) E] G
(+)
0
(x x
)V(x
)
(+)
k
(x
)
which implies that
[E +i c H
0
(x)] G
(+)
0
(x x
) = (x x
)
We have added the term +i c to the energy in order to x the boundary conditions
at innity. Fourier transforming, we obtain
_
dq
2
e
i q(xx
)
_
E +i c
h
2
q
2
2m
_

G
(+)
0
(q) =
_
dq
2
e
i q(xx
)
and
G
(+)
0
(q) =
_
h
2
k
2
2m

h
2
q
2
2m
+i c
_
1
Thus nally we get
G
(+)
0
(x x
) =
_

dq
2
e
i q(xx
)
_
h
2
k
2
2m

h
2
q
2
2m
+i c
_
1
=
2i m
h
2
_
O(x x
)
e
i k(xx
)
2k
O(x
x)
e
i k(x
x)
(2k)
_
=
i m
h
2
k
e
i k|xx
|
It is easy to see that the position matrix elements of the operator
G
(+)
0
(E) =
1
E +i c H
0
give exactly the Greens function
x|G
(+)
0
(E)|x
=
_
dq x|q q|G
(+)
0
(E)|x
=
_
dq
2
e
i (xx
)q
_
E +i c
h
2
q
2
2m
_
1
(b) In the asymptotic region we can make the approximation
|x x
| =
_
(x x
)
2
=
_
x
2
+(x
)
2
2xx

_
x
2
2xx
|x|
_
1
x
x
_
= |x| x
|x|
x
Thus, dening k
k|x|,x, we approximate the Greens function as follows:

G
(+)
0
(x x
) =
i m
h
2
k
e
i k|xx
|

i m
h
2
k
e
i k|x|i k
Then we have
(+)
k
(x)
1
2
_
e
i kx
2m
h
2
k
e
i k|x|
_
dx
e
i k
V(x
)
(+)
k
(x
)
_
The scattering amplitude is
f (k. k
) =
mi
2
h
2
k
_
dx
e
i k
V(x
)
(+)
k
(x
)
(c) In the far positive region, x a, the wave function is
e
i kx
2
+ f (k. k)
e
i kx
2
In the far negative region, x a, it is
e
i kx
2
+ f (k. k)
e
i kx
2
From these expressions we can recognize immediately
(1) the incident wave and current
e
i kx
2
. J
i
=
hk
m(2)
(2) the reected wave and current
f (k. k)
e
i kx
2
. J
r
=
hk
m(2)
| f (k. k)|
2
(3) the transmitted wave and current
[1 + f (k. k)]
e
i kx
2
. J
t
=
hk
m(2)
|1 + f (k. k)|
2
Thus, the reection and transmission coefcients are
T = J
t
,J
i
= |1 + f (k. k)|
2
. R = | J
r
|,J
i
= | f (k. k)|
2
10 Scattering 329
Probability conservation dictates that
R+T = 1
which is equivalent to
|1 + f (k. k)|
2
+| f (k. k)|
2
= 1
= | f (k. k)|
2
+| f (k. k)|
2
= 2 Re[ f (k. k)]
(d) The exact answer for the scattering amplitude of the delta function potential
is
f =
i g
i g + h
2
k,m
and the bound-state energy is
E
b
=
mg
2
2 h
2
On the other hand, the Born approximation to the scattering amplitude gives
f
B
i
gm
h
2
k
Notice that the exact answer can be rewritten as (g - 0)
f =
i
i
E,|E
b
|
In the high-energy limit E |E
b
|, this is approximated by
f i
_
|E
b
|
E
= i
mg
h
2
k
= f
B
which coincides with the Born approximation result.
Problem 10.14 The neutronproton scattering amplitude is of the form
f =
f
_
a +4 h
2
b S
n
S
p
_
i
where
i
and
f
are the initial and nal states. Calculate the cross section for
neutronproton scattering when the initial and nal proton spins are not measured.
Solution
The operator appearing in the amplitude is
S
n
S
p
=
1
2
_
S
(+)
p
S
()
n
+ S
()
p
S
(+)
n
+2S
pz
S
nz
_
The cross section corresponding to the scattering of neutrons from protons when
the target spin is not measured will be
n
m
n
=
m
p
. m
f
m
p
. m
n
m
p
. m
n
2
In particular, we have
+

+
+
=
m
p
. m
f
m
p
. +
m
p
. +
2
and
+
=
m
p
. m
f
m
p
.
m
p
. +
2
The rst relevant amplitude is
f
m
p
. +
m
p
. +
=
_
m
p
_
m
n
=
1
2
_
a +4 h
2
b S
n
S
p
_
n
=
1
2
_
p
_
=
_
a +2bm
p
_
m
p
m
p
and leads to the cross section
+
=
m
p
. m
a +2bm
p
m
p
m
p
=
m
p
a +2bm
p
2
= | a +b |
2
+ | a b |
2
= 2|a|
2
+2|b|
2
Similarly, we have for the other amplitude
f
m
p
.
m
p
. +
=
_
m
p
_
m
n
=
1
2
_
a +4 h
2
b S
n
S
p
_
n
=
1
2
_
p
_
= 2b
m
p
. 1,2
m
p
.1,2
and for the corresponding cross section
m
p
. m
p
4|b|
2
p
. 1,2
m
p
.1,2
= 4|b|
2
The polarization m will be
m =

+
+
+
=
|a|
2
|b|
2
|a|
2
+3|b|
2
Problem 10.15 Consider the scattering of a particle by a distribution of scattering
centres. Each scatterer is located at a point r
i
and scatters with a given potential
V
0
(|r r
i
|). Write down the scattering amplitude in the Born approximation.
(a) Consider the case of a cube of side a with the scatterers placed at its eight vertices.
(b) Do the same for an innite cubic lattice of lattice spacing a.
10 Scattering 331
Solution
The Born-approximation scattering amplitude is (q k k
)
f
k
( r) =
m
2 h
2
_
d
3
r
e
i qr

i
V
0
(|r
r
i
|)
=
m
2 h
2
i
e
i qr
i
_
d
3
e
i q
V
0
() =
m
2
h
2

V
0
(q)
i
e
i qr
i
where

V
0
is the Fourier transform of the given potential V
0
.
(a) In the case of the cube, the sum is
8 cos(aq
x
,2) cos(aq
y
,2) cos(aq
z
,2)
The cross section will be
d
dO
=
64m
2
(2)
h
4
|
V
0
|
2
cos
2
q
x
a
2
cos
2
q
y
a
2
cos
2
q
z
a
2
Maximal value is achieved when all q
i
= 2n
i
,a.
(b) In the case of an innite lattice, the sum is
n
x
=0
e
i aq
x
n
x
n
y
=0
e
i aq
y
n
y
n
z
=0
e
i aq
z
n
z
= (1 e
i aq
x
)
1
(1 e
i aq
y
)
1
(1 e
i aq
z
)
1
= 8i e
i (q
x
+q
y
+q
z
)a,2
_
sin
q
x
a
2
sin
q
y
a
2
sin
q
z
a
2
_
1
The cross section will be
d
dO
=
64m(2)
h
4
|
V
0
|
2
_
sin
2
q
x
a
2
sin
2
q
y
a
2
sin
2
q
z
a
2
_
1
Maximal (innite) cross section corresponds to any of the momentum transfers
q
x
=
2n
x
a
. q
y
=
2n
y
a
. q
z
=
2n
z
a
(n
x
. n
y
. n
z
= 1. 2. . . .)

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Quantum Mechanics

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Cambridge Books Online

is a spherical surface of innite radius with origin at the centre of the

is valid in the asymptotic region.

(k), where is the angular momentum quantum number.

(k) = exp [2i

The condition for bound states is

Using the fact that P

are solutions of the free radial Schroedinger

) is a solutionof the above equation. The normalization

. In the case of s-waves ( = 0)

Cambridge Books Online Cambridge University Press, 2010

is small and also replace the

(kr). Then we get

= k, prove the relation

This, substituted back, gives

This would be the SchwingerLipmann equation if

. The integral involved is

is the logarithmic derivative

(q R). The wave number q is dened as q

2. Determine the Greens function G

) to the reection and transmis-

k|x|,x, we approximate the Greens function as follows:

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