Phy 432 Problem Set 4 Feb 15, 2009

1. Explicitly verify that our expressions for σ(θ) = |f (θ)|2 and σtotal in
terms of partial waves satisfy the optical theorem.
Show that for any potential
k
σel (0) ≥ σtotal (1)
4π
Verbalize this result as best you can.
2. Write a pseudocode (i.e. a complete set of instructions in plain english
at the intellectual level of a computer) and/or programme for studying
the scattering of particles by a hard sphere. Specifically, start by cal-
culating the phase shift, δl as a function of k and a. Plot δl vs various
combinations of l, k and a. Include in your list, plots of ka vs ”the
largest value of l which contributes significantly to σtotal ”. Plot each of
σtotal and σel (0) vs ka.
Verify that the computed values agree, in the limits of small and large
ka, with analytic results. To get the latter for ka → ∞, carry out the
sum:
4π
σtotal = 2 Σl=ka 2
l=0 (2l + 1)sin δl (2)
k
3. Write a pseudocode/programme to study the behaviour of σ(θ) as a
function of θ. Start by showing that s-wave scattering is completely
isotropic. Next prove analytically that where only δ0 and δ1 differ
significantly from 0,
k 2 σ(θ) = sin2 δ0 + 6sinδ0 sinδ1 cos(δ0 − δ1 )cosθ + 9sin2 δ1 cos2 θ (3)
Now see how the inclusion of d- and f -wave scattering increases the θ
-dependence as the forward-backward asymmetry.
4. Now soften the hard sphere, by making it a spherical barrier/well of
height/depth V0 . Show that the internal lth partial wave-function is
Bl jl (αr). Define α. Write out the matching conditions and then tanδl
in terms of γl = kjl 0(ka)/jl (ka). Plot tanδl vs all relevant combinations
of l, k, a and V0 . Look for values of k, a and V0 for which σt otal = 0. Are
there special values of these parameters for which one of the δl = π/2,
i.e. the lth partial wave is in resonance?