Continuous Eigenvalues and Collision Theory

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Quantum Mechanics A
SchrodEq.png
Schrödinger Equation
The most fundamental equation of quantum mechanics; given a Hamiltonian , it describes how a state evolves in time.
Basic Concepts and Theory of Motion
UV Catastrophe (Black-Body Radiation)
Photoelectric Effect
Stability of Matter
Double Slit Experiment
Stern-Gerlach Experiment
The Principle of Complementarity
The Correspondence Principle
The Philosophy of Quantum Theory
Brief Derivation of Schrödinger Equation
Relation Between the Wave Function and Probability Density
Stationary States
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Some Consequences of the Uncertainty Principle
Linear Vector Spaces and Operators
Commutation Relations and Simultaneous Eigenvalues
The Schrödinger Equation in Dirac Notation
Transformations of Operators and Symmetry
Time Evolution of Expectation Values and Ehrenfest's Theorem
One-Dimensional Bound States
Oscillation Theorem
The Dirac Delta Function Potential
Scattering States, Transmission and Reflection
Motion in a Periodic Potential
Summary of One-Dimensional Systems
Harmonic Oscillator Spectrum and Eigenstates
Analytical Method for Solving the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Coherent States
Charged Particles in an Electromagnetic Field
WKB Approximation
The Heisenberg Picture: Equations of Motion for Operators
The Interaction Picture
The Virial Theorem
Commutation Relations
Angular Momentum as a Generator of Rotations in 3D
Spherical Coordinates
Eigenvalue Quantization
Orbital Angular Momentum Eigenfunctions
General Formalism
Free Particle in Spherical Coordinates
Spherical Well
Isotropic Harmonic Oscillator
Hydrogen Atom
WKB in Spherical Coordinates
Feynman Path Integrals
The Free-Particle Propagator
Propagator for the Harmonic Oscillator
Differential Cross Section and the Green's Function Formulation of Scattering
Central Potential Scattering and Phase Shifts
Coulomb Potential Scattering

In this chapter we shall investigate problems connected with a particle which, coming from infinity, encounters or "collides with" some atomic system and, after being scattered through a certain angle, goes off to infinity again. The atomic system which does the scattering is called the scatterer. We thus have a dynamical system composed of an incident particle and a scatterer interacting with each other, which we must deal with according to the laws of quantum mechanics, and for which we must, in particular, calculate the probability of scattering through any given angle. The scatterer is usually assumed to be of infinite mass and to be at rest throughout the scattering process. The problem was first solved by Max Born.

We must take into account the possibility that the scatterer, considered as a system by itself, may have a number of different stationary states and that if it is initially in one of these states when the particle arrives from infinity, it may be left in a different one when the particle goes off to infinity again. The colliding particle may thus induce transitions in the scatterer. However, to calculate the transition probability, we need to use perturbation theory, which is one the topics in Quantum Mechanics B. Hence in this chapter we will deal with simple scattering problems (i.e. processes involving no transitions) only.

Chapter Contents