PHY432, Problem Set 3, Due on Feb 9 2009

1. Work out the properties of the Bessel functions as listed in the handout on Bessel

functions. Plot these functions (using Mathematica or otherwise).

2. Use these properties establish the following properties of the spherical Bessel functions

(b stands for j or n):

sinρ −cosρ
j0 (ρ) = ρ
n0 (ρ) = ρ

either directly from the differential equation for ρb(ρ) or by explicitly evaluating J± 1 .
2

ρl −(2l−1)!!
jl (ρ) → (2l+1)!!
nl (ρ) → ρl+1
ρ → 0.

3. Using the fact that Pl (ξ) satisfies

d dPl (ξ)
{(1 − ξ 2 ) } + l(l + 1)Pl (ξ) = 0 (1)
dξ dξ

verify that jl (ρ) defined through its integral representation

1 Z 1 iρξ
jl (ρ) = e Pl (ξ)dξ (2)
2il −1

satisfies

ρ2 jl ”(ρ) + 2ρjl (ρ) + [ρ2 − l(l + 1)]jl (ρ) = 0. (3)

4. Redo the partial wave analysis, allowing the phase shift to be complex:

δl = αl + iβl (4)

In particular, show that for Sl = e2iδl ,

π ∞
σel = Σ (2l + 1)|1 − Sl |2 (5)
k 2 l=0
π
σabs = 2 Σ∞ 2
l=0 (2l + 1)(1 − |Sl | ) (6)
k
2π ∞
σtot = 2 Σl=0 (2l + 1)[1 − Re(Sl )] (7)
k

1
5. (*) Develop a program along the lines of the Mathematica program demonstrated by

Dr.Anjan Gupta, for studying 3-d scattering from a potential. Start by developing

it for a 3-d spherical well and later extend it to include more complicated potentials.

The minimal program should be capable of (1) handling arbitrary values of incident

energy and of well/barrier-dimensions (depths and radii) (2)calculating the partial

wave amplitudes and phase shifts as also the scattering cross-sections.

Note: You may look for the solution to this problem on the net or in text-books. If you

find the solution, you may use it, but, while submitting your solution, be sure to refer

to the origninal source.

The deadline for this problem is also the day after the mid-semester recess.