Introduction to scattering theory*

We aim at solving the Schrödinger equation

𝐻Ψ 𝒓 = 𝐸Ψ 𝒓 ; 𝐸 > 0.

For central potentials we expand Ψ 𝒓 = ∑*+ 𝑐*+ (𝑘)𝑅* (𝑟)𝑌*+ (Ω) to solve

𝐾 + 𝑉(𝑟) Ψ 𝒓 = 𝐸Ψ 𝒓 ; 𝐸 > 0,

ℏ: = ? ? @: ℏ: ? ? ?:
with 𝐾 = − ;< >: ?> 𝑟 ; ?> − ℏ:>: and 𝐿; = − BCD: E ?E sin 𝜃 ?E + ?J: .

*L. F. Canto and M. S. Hussein, Scattering theory of molecules, atoms and nuclei, World
Scientific Publishing (2013).
Introduction to scattering theory
Taking the scalar product with the spherical harmonics, we end up with

ℏ; 1 𝑑 ; 𝑑 𝑙 𝑙+1
− ; 𝑟 − ; 𝑅* 𝑟 + 𝑉 𝑟 𝑅* 𝑟 = 𝐸𝑅* 𝑟 .
2𝜇 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑟

;<R
Introducing the dimensionless variable 𝜌 = 𝑘𝑟 with 𝑘 = ℏ
, we have

𝑑; 2 𝑑 𝑙 𝑙+1 𝑉 𝜌
; + + 1− 𝑅* 𝜌 = 𝑅* 𝜌 .
𝑑𝜌 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝜌; 𝐸
Free field partial wave equation
The dynamics of a free particle in spherical coordinates is described by

𝑑; 2 𝑑 𝑙 𝑙+1
+ + 1 − 𝑅* 𝜌 = 0, 𝜌 = 𝑘𝑟,
𝑑𝜌 ; 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝜌;

with the spherical Bessel functions of the first, 𝑗T 𝜌 , and second kind, 𝑦T 𝜌 as the solutions. They
are related with the Bessel functions, solutions in cylindrical coordinates as [*]

𝜋 𝜋
𝑗T 𝜌 = 𝐽 = 𝜌 , 𝑦T 𝜌 = 𝑌 = 𝜌 .
2𝜌 TX; 2𝜌 TX;

Thus the radial function 𝑢* 𝜌 = 𝜌𝑅* (𝜌) can be written as

𝑢Z* 𝑟 = 𝛼 * 𝑗* (𝑘𝑟) + 𝛽 * 𝑦* (𝑘𝑟) 𝑘𝑟.

-
[*] M. Abramowitz and I. A. Stegun, Handbook of mathematical functions, Dover, London,1972.
Free field partial wave equation: Solutions
At small 𝜌 the spherical Bessel functions behave

𝜌* 2𝑙 − 1 !!
𝑗* 𝜌 → 0 ∼ , 𝑦* 𝜌 → 0 ∼ .
2𝑙 + 1 !! 𝜌 *X=

The asymptotic behavior at large distances is given by

𝑙𝜋 𝑙𝜋
sin 𝜌 − cos 𝜌 −
𝑗* 𝜌 → ∞ ∼ 2 , 𝑦* 𝜌 → ∞ ∼ 2 .
𝜌 𝜌

*c
As 𝑢Z* 0 = 0 then 𝑢Z* 𝑟 = 𝛼 * 𝑗* 𝑘𝑟 𝑘𝑟, and asymptotically 𝑢Z* 𝑟 → ∞ = 𝛼* sin 𝑘𝑟 − ;
.
Free field partial wave equation: Solutions

Spherical Bessel functions

Elastic scattering: Short range potential
The dynamics of a particle of mass 𝜇 in a nuclear potential is described by

ℏ; 𝑑 ; ℏ; 𝑙 𝑙 + 1
− + + 𝑉d 𝑟 𝑢Z* 𝑟 = 𝐸𝑢Z* 𝑟 .
2𝜇 𝑑𝑟 ; 2𝜇 𝑟 ;

In the configuration space

Region I Region
II
𝑢Z* 𝑟 < 𝑎j 𝑢Z* 𝑟 > 𝑎j
Potential

𝑉efDg
Unknown Known

𝑎j
𝑉fhh r

𝑉d
Elastic scattering: Short range potential
In region II the radial wave function is given by

𝑢Z* 𝑟 > 𝑎j = 𝛼* 𝑗* 𝑘𝑟 + 𝛾* 𝑦* 𝑘𝑟 𝑘𝑟.

For convenience we define 𝛾* = tan 𝛿* , where 𝛿* are the so called phase shifts. Then introducing the
asymptotic bevaviors of the sphericla Bessel functions

𝑢Z* 𝑟 > 𝑎j = 𝛼*p sin(𝛿* + 𝜌 − 𝑙𝜋/2) with 𝛼*p = 𝛼* / cos 𝛿* .

How to find the phase shifts?

= u v > |x t
𝐿r 𝑎j = 𝐿rr 𝑎j , with 𝐿 = .
s t u > |x t

The prime is for radial derivative. Thus

𝑘𝑎j 𝑗′* 𝑘𝑎j − 𝑗* 𝑘𝑎j 𝐿r (𝑎j )

tan 𝛿* = − .
𝑘𝑎j 𝑦 p * 𝑘𝑎j − 𝑦* 𝑘𝑎j 𝐿r (𝑎j )
𝑛 − 𝑝 scattering
Let us consider the simplified situation 𝑙 = 0 and 𝑉d (𝑟) ≡ Square well. Then

For region I

𝑑; 2𝜇
+ 𝑉 +𝐸 𝑢{r 𝑟 = 0 𝑉d (𝑟)
𝑑𝑟 ; ℏ; { I II
2𝜇 𝑉{ + 𝐸
𝑢{r 0 → 𝑢{r 𝑟 = 𝐴sin𝑘r 𝑟; 𝑘r = . 𝑟
ℏ

For region II
Phase shift
−𝑉{
𝑑; 2𝜇𝐸 rr rr
2𝜇𝐸
+ ; 𝑢{ 𝑟 = 0 → 𝑢{ 𝑟 = Bsin(𝑘rr 𝑟 + 𝛿{ ); 𝑘rr = .
𝑑𝑟 ; ℏ ℏ
𝑛 − 𝑝 scattering
What is the meaning of the phase shifts?

Radial wave function for a square well potential (bottom) and for free particle (top). Taken from J. J.
Sakurai, Modern quantum mechanics, Adison Wesley 1994.
 𝑛 − 𝑝 scattering
From the logarithmic derivative condition
𝑉d (𝑟)
𝑑𝑢r 𝑟 𝑑𝑢rr 𝑟 I II
ℒ r 𝑎 = ℒ rr 𝑎 → 𝑑𝑟 • = 𝑑𝑟 • 𝑟
𝑢r 𝑟 s 𝑢rr 𝑟 s
𝑢{rr 𝑟 = Bsin(𝑘rr 𝑟 + 𝛿{ );
𝑘r co𝑠𝑘r 𝑎 𝑘rr cos(𝑘rr 𝑎 + 𝛿{ ) −𝑉{
→ = 𝑢{r 𝑟 = 𝐴sin𝑘r 𝑟
sin 𝑘r 𝑎 sin(𝑘rr 𝑎 + 𝛿{ )
→ 𝑘r cot𝑘r 𝑎 = 𝑘rr cot(𝑘rr 𝑎 + 𝛿{ )

𝑘r
→ 𝛿{ = arccot cot 𝑘r 𝑎 − 𝑘rr 𝑎
𝑘rr
 𝑛 − 𝑝 scattering

Phase shift for the n-p system. Figure taken from K. S. Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics, Jhon Wiley and Sons (1998).
Stationary scattering states: Short-range
potential
The scattering of a particle in a short-range potential corresponds to solve the Schrödinger
equation

ℏ; ;
− ∇ + 𝑉d 𝒓 Ψ 𝒓 = 𝐸Ψ(𝒓); 𝐸 > 0,
2𝜇

where 𝑉d 𝒓 is a short range potential, with the asymptotic condition

Ψ 𝒓 → ∞ → Ψ† 𝒓 + Ψ‡ 𝒓 ,

= †𝒌⋅𝒓 = • Ž••
with Ψ† 𝒓 = ;c ˆ/:
𝑒 and Ψ‡ 𝒓 = ;c ˆ/:
𝑓(Ω) > .
Stationary scattering states: Short-range
potential
The geometrical interpretation of the asymptotic condition*

1 𝑒 †Z>
Ψ‡ (𝒓) = ‘/;
𝑓(𝜃)
2𝜋 𝑟
1 †Z’
Ψ† 𝒓 = 𝑒 𝜃
2𝜋 ‘/;

* An incident plane wave is unphysical due to this is not square integrable. For details see
C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu and F. Laloe. Quantum Mechanics, Vol. 2. Chapter 1. (1992).
Elastic cross sections: Short-range potential
As probability is conserved the following continuity equation is satisfied

𝜕𝜌
+ 𝛻 ⋅ 𝚥⃗ = 0,
𝜕𝑡

with 𝜌 = ΨΨ∗ the probability density and 𝚥⃗ the probability density current. We can deduce 𝐽⃗ from

𝜕Ψ ℏ; ;
𝑖ℏ =− 𝛻 Ψ + 𝑉Ψ,
𝜕𝑡 2𝜇
?› ℏ:
→ 𝑖ℏΨ ∗ =− Ψ ∗ 𝛻 ; Ψ + Ψ ∗ 𝑉Ψ,
?œ ;<
∗ ;
𝜕Ψ ℏ
→ −𝑖ℏΨ =− Ψ𝛻 ; Ψ ∗ + Ψ𝑉Ψ ∗
𝜕𝑡 2𝜇

and from the subtraction of the last two equations

Elastic cross sections: Short-range potential
;
𝜕 ℏ
𝑖ℏ ΨΨ ∗ = − Ψ ∗ 𝛻 ; Ψ − Ψ𝛻 ; Ψ ∗ ,
𝜕𝑡 2𝜇
ℏ;
=− 𝛻 ⋅ Ψ ∗ 𝛻Ψ − 𝛻Ψ ∗ Ψ .
2𝜇

Then
ℏ
𝚥⃗ = Ψ ∗ 𝛻Ψ − 𝛻Ψ ∗ Ψ .
2𝜇𝑖

= †Z⋅>⃗ = • Ž••
With the incident and scattered wave functions Ψ† 𝑟 = 𝑒 and Ψ‡ 𝑟 = ˆ 𝑓 𝜃 .
;c ˆ/: >
;c :

𝑑𝜎 𝐽‡ 𝑟 ; ;
= = 𝑓 𝜃 .
𝑑Ω 𝐽†
Partial wave analysis
For central short range potentials we can expand the solution of the Schrödinger equation as

¢ 𝒍
Z
𝑢*Z 𝑟 +¥
Ψ 𝒓 =ž ž 𝑐*+ 𝑌* Ω .
𝑟
𝒍 𝟎 𝒎𝒍 ¤𝒍

Asymptotically the wave function Ψ 𝒓 must satisfy

X
1 †Z⋅>⃗
𝑒 †Z>
Ψ 𝒓 → 𝑒 +𝑓 Ω .
2𝜋 ‘/; 𝑟

Then from the Bauer’s expansion

¢
+¥ ∗ +¥
𝑒 †Z⋅>⃗ = ž 4𝜋𝑖 * 𝑌* Ω 𝑌* Ω§ 𝑗* (𝑘𝑟) = ž 2𝑙 + 1 𝑃* 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑖 * 𝑗* 𝑘𝑟 .
*+ * {
Scattering amplitude and cross section
and the asymptotic behavior of 𝑗* (𝑘𝑟) we end up with the scattering amplitude for an incident
projectile on the 𝑧 axis *
¢
1
𝑓d 𝜃 = ž 2𝑙 + 1 𝑃* cos𝜃 𝑆* − 1 ,
2𝑖𝑘
* {

where 𝑆* = 𝑒 ;†«¥ is the so called scattering matrix and 𝛿* is the phase shift of the partial wave 𝑙.

The elastic angular distribution is given by

𝑑𝜎 ;
= 𝑓 𝜃 .
𝑑Ω

* A. Messiah, Quantum Mechanics, Dover (1999), Merzbacher Quantum Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons (1970)
 𝑛 − 𝑝 scattering

Phase shift for the n-p system. Figure taken from H. P. g. Schieck, Nuclear Reactions An Introduction, Springer (2014).
Elastic cross sections: Example

Elastic scattering of n on 32S. The labels are different

collision laboratory energies. Taken from Kooning and
Delaroche, Nucl. Phys. A 713 231(2003).
Elastic scattering: Pure Coulomb potential
The dynamics of two point charged particles is described by

ℏ; 𝑑 ; ℏ; 𝑙 𝑙 + 1 𝑍= 𝑍; 𝑒 ;
− ;
+ ;
+ 𝑢Z* 𝑟 = 𝐸𝑢Z* 𝑟
2𝜇 𝑑𝑟 2𝜇 𝑟 𝑟
or
𝑑; 𝑙 𝑙+1 2𝜂 *
− − + 1 𝑢 Z 𝜂, 𝜌 = 0,
𝑑𝜌 ; 𝑟; 𝜌

®¯ ®: • :
with 𝜌 = 𝑘𝑟, the Sommerfeld parameter 𝜂 = ℏ° and 𝑒 ; = 1.44 MeVfm. The solutions are the
regular and irregular Coulomb functions 𝐹* (𝜂, 𝜌) and 𝐺* 𝜂, 𝜌 or the Coulomb Haenkel functions
±
𝐻* 𝜂, 𝜌 = 𝐺* 𝜂, 𝜌 ± 𝑖𝐹* 𝜂, 𝜌 .

For 𝜂 = 0 the Coulomb functions become

𝐹* 0, 𝜌 = 𝜌𝑗* 𝜌 , 𝐺* 0, 𝜌 = 𝜌𝑦* 𝜌 .
Elastic scattering: Pure Coulomb potential
*X=
1
𝐹* 𝜂, 𝜌 → 0 → 𝐴* 𝜌 , 𝐺* 𝜂, 𝜌 → 0 → 𝜌 ¤* ,
2𝑙 + 1 𝐴*

if 𝑙 = 0, 𝐴* = 𝜌 *X= ,
=/;
𝐴* = 𝐴{ *
𝜂;
if 𝑙 > 0, 𝐴* = Π+ = 1+ ;
2𝑙 + 1 !! 𝑚

and
𝑙𝜋
𝐹* 𝜂, 𝜌 → ∞ → sin 𝜌 − − 𝜂ln2𝜌 + 𝜎* ,
2
𝑙𝜋
𝐺* 𝜂, 𝜌 → ∞ → cos 𝜌 − − 𝜂ln2𝜌 + 𝜎* .
2

with the Coulomb phase shifts

𝜎* = arg Γ(1 + 𝑙 + 𝑖𝜂) .

Elastic scattering: Coulomb functions and Coulomb
phase shifts
Scattering amplitude: Pure Coulomb potential
For pure Coulomb scattering, the scattering amplitude is given by*

¤†½ ¾D BCD:E
𝑒 ;†»¼ 𝑒 ; 𝑍= 𝑍; 𝑒 ;
𝑓º 𝜃 = −𝑎 ,𝑎 = .
𝜃 2𝐸
2sin; 2

Then the pure Coulomb quantum cross section becomes

;
𝑑𝜎 𝑍= 𝑍; 𝑒 ; 1
= .
𝑑Ω 4𝐸 sin 4 Θ/2

Thus the classical and quantum cross sections of pure Coulomb scattering are the same!!
Elastic scattering: Coulomb plus nuclear potential
The aim is to solve the differential equation

ℏ; 𝑑 ; ℏ; 𝑙 𝑙 + 1
− + + 𝑉d 𝑟 + 𝑉À 𝑟 𝑢 * 𝑟 = 𝐸𝑢 * 𝑟 (∗),
2𝜇 𝑑𝑟 ; 2𝜇 𝑟 ;

in the configuration space

Region I Region
II 𝑖
𝑢Z* 𝑟 < 𝑎j * ¤ X
𝑢Z 𝑟 > 𝑎j = 𝑒 ¤†«¥ 𝐻* 𝜂, 𝑘𝑟 − 𝑈* 𝐻* 𝜂, 𝑘𝑟
Veff 2
*c
= sin 𝑘𝑟 − − 𝜂ln2𝜌 + 𝜎* + 𝛿*
VCou VCent Unknown ;
potential

0
0 𝑎j r

VNuc
Scattering amplitude
Ã
Once we compute 𝛿Â* to find the scattering matrix 𝑆Â* = 𝑒 ;†«¥ , we can get the elastic scttering
amplitude which for Coulomb and nuclear potentials is

𝑓 𝜃 = 𝑓Â 𝜃 + 𝑓À (𝜃)

with
¢
1
Â
𝑓 𝜃 = ž 2𝑙 + 1 𝑃* cos𝜃 𝑒 ;†»¥ (𝑆Â* − 1) .
2𝑖𝑘
* {

From the scattering amplitude we obtain the elastic cross section

𝑑𝜎 ;
= 𝑓 𝜃 .
𝑑Ω
Elastic cross sections: Example

Elastic scattering of p on 40Ca. The labels are different

collision laboratory energies. Taken from Kooning and
Delaroche, Nucl. Phys. A 713 231(2003).