Lecture 11

M. Siddikov

December 12, 2019

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Outline
Where we are Plan for today
Collisions
? Transformation of angles
Evaluation of cross-sections
? Scattering in central field.
Rutherford’s formula
? Capture cross-section
? *Inverse problem of the
scattering

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2 → 2 elastic scattering
Scattering is elastic, if internal proper-
ties (masses) of particles do not change (no
new particle production, no disintegration or
merging) and if Mechanical energy is con-
served (no conversion into heat etc).
Interaction is potential, U = U (~r1 − ~r2 ) ,
and for closed system
lim U(r ) = 0, r = |~r1 − ~r2 |
r →∞
Asymptotically (r → ∞) particles are free,
move along straight lines
We call scattering angles θ1 , θ2 (θ, φ in
the figure) the angle between the asymptotes
of the particle after interaction. Note that
angles θ1 6= θ2 in general:
Energy-momentum conservation: 4 in-
dependent constraints
⇒if we know (~p1 I , ~p2 I ), and only one
of the angles (θ1 , θ2 ) or energies after
scattering (E1 , E2 ), can reconstruct the
remaining variables
Center of mass frame
1) The scattering always happens in a
plane
2) The absolute values of momenta of
each particle is conserved,
|~p1 I | = |~p1 F | ,|~p2 I | = |~p2 F |
3) The scattering angles are equal,
θ1 = θ2
4) The relative motion:

~r12 = ~r1 − ~r2

with reduced mass

m1 m2
µ=
m1 + m2
2 → 2 inelastic scattering
Scattering is inelastic, if it is not elastic (i.e. Energy conservation: extra contribu-
change of internal state of particles, produc- tion ∆E (can be > 0 and < 0)
tion of new particles due to disintegration or
merging, or change of mechanical energy due Center of mass frame
to converstion into other forms). 1) The scattering always happens in a
Interaction might be NOT potential, other plane
(non-mechnaical) phenomena might be in- 2) The absolute values of momenta of
volved. each particle is conserved,
Asymptotically (r → ∞) particles are free,
move along straight lines |~p1 I | =
6 |~p1 F | ,
We call scattering angles θ1 , θ2 (θ, φ in
the figure) the angle between the asymptotes |~p2 I | 6= |~p2 F |
of the particle after interaction. Note that though from definition of CM frame
angles θ1 6= θ2 in general:
~p1 I = −~p2 I

~p1 F = −~p2 F
3) The scattering angles are not equal,
θ1 6= θ2
4) Mechanical energy of relative motion
might be NOT conserved (∆E 6= 0)
Transformation of angles

Galileo transformation for velocities:

~ CM ≡ R
If V ~˙ CM is the velocity of th center of
mass, and ~vi are the velocities of particles in
center-of-mass frame, then in the lab-frame
~ i = ~vi + V
V ~ CM
0 0
V1y v1y v1 sin θ
The scattering angles ψ, ζ in the tan ψ = 0
= 0 =
V1x v1x + VCM v1 cos θ + VCM
rest frame of one of the particles
(e.g. particle 2) are related to the
0 0
scattering angle in the center of V2y v2y − |v2 | sin θ
tan ζ = 0
= 0
=
mass frame θ1 = θ2 = θvia Galileo V2x v2x + VCM − |v2 | cos θ + VCM
transformations v1 sin θ
=
v1 cos θ − (m2 /m1 ) VCM
Scattering in the external field
.
Elastic scattering of particles with Differential cross-section
constant momenta ~p
Transverse positions unknown The number of particles scattered in the
Look for distributions of scattered range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and divided by
particles the flux
Flux of the particles dσ 1 dNscattered (θ, θ + d θ)
=
dθ J dθ
Number of particles which pass
through the unit area in transverse dσ 1 dNscattered 1 dNscattered
direction per unit of time = =
dΩ J dΩ J sin θ dθ dφ
dN = J dS dt dΩ = sin θ dθdφ

The number of particles scattered in the

range of energies (E 0 , E 0 + dE 0 ) and divided
by the flux

dσ 1 dNscattered (E 0 , E 0 + dE 0 )
0
=
dE J d E0

Z π Z Z Emax
dσ dσ dσ
σtotal = dθ = dΩ = dE 0
0 dθ dΩ Emin d E0
Scattering in the external field
Flux of the particles Differential cross-section
Number of particles which pass dσ 1 dNscattered (θ, θ + d θ)
through the unit area in transverse =
dθ J dθ
direction per unit of time
dσ 1 dNscattered (E 0 , E 0 + dE 0 )
=
dN = J dS dt d E0 J d E0

If the scattering angle of the particle is

θ then (in the lab frame) its energy E 0 is
related to θ, E 0 = E 0 (θ), so

dσ dσ dE 0
=
dθ dE 0 dθ
(similar for other transformations of variables)

The beam of particles with constant energy is

scattering on the target, which is at rest in
the lab frame. Assume that we evaluated the
cross-section in the center-of-mass frame
dσ/dΩCM . How this cross-section is related
to the lab-frame cross-section dσ/dΩlab ?
Scattering in the laboratory frame
. For incident particles (Θlab = ψ for the
first particle, and Θlab = ζ for the 2nd):
v1I sin θ sin θ
tan Θlab = = ,
v1I cos θ + VCM cos θ + γ
γ = (m1 /m2 )

v1 sin θ
tan ψ = d Θlab 1 + γ cos θ
v1 cos θ + VCM = dθ
cos2 Θlab (cos θ + γ)2
v1 sin θ
tan ζ =
v1 cos θ − (m2 /m1 ) VCM dθ γ2
=1+
d Θlab 1 + γ cos θ
vrel,∞ = v∞
m1 µ
VCM = v∞ = v∞ dσ dσ dΩ
m1 + m2 m2 = =
dΩlab dΩ dΩlab
Relative velocities in CM frame:
dσ sin θ dθ
µ =
v1I = v∞ , dΩ sin Θlab dΘlab
m1
µ
v2I = − v∞ ,
m2
vrel,∞ = v∞
Scattering in the central field U(r )

Differential cross-section Impact parameter ρ

The number of particles scattered in Distance between the center of field and
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and asymptotic trajectory of the particle
divided by the flux before the interaction
dσ 1 dNscattered Assumptions
=
dθ J dθ  flux is homogeneous (J = const)
 potential is central⇒axial symmetry
dNscattered = J dS, but dS = (ρd ρd φ) =
2πρd ρ, so

d σ = 2πρd ρ

Known [U(r ), E ] ⇒ θ = θ(ρ) (so ρ =

ρ(θ))

Cross-section of elastic scattering

 
dσ  dρ 
= 2πρ(θ)  
dθ dθ

θ = π − 2φ0
Scattering from a sphere
We assume that (local) incidence angle
equals reflection angle, so scattering angle
Differential cross-section
θ = π − 2φ0 , φ0 = arcsin(ρ/a)
The number of particles scattered in  
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and θ
⇒ ρ = a sin φ0 = a cos
divided by the flux 2
dσ 1 dNscattered
= dσ
 
 dρ 
dθ J dθ = 2πρ(θ)   =
dθ dθ
   
2 θ 1 θ
A stream of pointlike particles = 2πa sin cos
scatters on a rigid sphere of radius a. 2 2 2
Assuming that the scattering is = πa2 sin θ
elastic, and the center of the sphere
is fixed, evaluate the cross-section Total elastic cross-section:
Z π
d σ/d Ω and the total cross-section. dσ
σtot elastic = dθ = 2πa2
0 dθ
Scattering in the external field

Differential cross-section Impact parameter ρ

The number of particles scattered in Distance between the center of field and
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and asymptotic trajectory of the particle
divided by the flux before the interaction
dσ 1 dNscattered
= Scattering in the central field U(r )
dθ J dθ
θ = π − 2φ0 ,
∞ M
dr
Z
m r2
φ0 = r
M2
 
rmin 2
m
E − U(r ) − 2 m r2

where

m v∞2
E = , M = m v∞ ρ,
2

and thus  
dσ  dρ 
= 2πρ(θ)  
dθ dθ
Scattering in the Coulomb field
Differential cross-section
θ = π − 2φ0 ,
The number of particles scattered in M
Z ∞ dr
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and φ0 = r m r2
divided by the flux M2
 
rmin 2
m
E − U(r ) − 2 m r2
dσ 1 dNscattered
= where
dθ J dθ
m v∞2
E = , M = m v∞ ρ,
2

and thus  
dσ  dρ 
= 2πρ(θ)  
dθ dθ

Rutherford’s formula
Demonstrate that in the Coulomb field
U = −α/r the cross-section of elastic
scattering is given by
 2
dσ α 1
=
dΩ 2mv∞2 sin4 (θ/2)
Scattering in the Coulomb field
Trajectory in Coulomb field:
Differential cross-section p
= 1 + e cos φ
The number of particles scattered in r
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and Case E > 0 (scattering): e > 1, trajec-
divided by the flux tory is hyperbola with semiaxes
p p
a= , b= √
Scattering in the central field U(r ) e2 − 1 e2 − 1
θ = π − 2φ0 ,
M2 2 2
mv∞ ρ
Z ∞ M
dr p= = ,
m r2 mα α
φ0 = r s
M2
 
rmin 2 2 ρ 2
r
E − U(r ) −
 
m 2 m r2 2EM 2 mv∞
e = 1+ = 1 +
mα2 α
m v∞2
E = , M = m v∞ ρ,
2
 
dσ  dρ 
= 2πρ(θ)  
dθ dθ
Scattering in the Coulomb field
arccos a − arccos b = arccos (c)
∞ M
dr
Z
m r2
φ0 = r  =
2 c = cos (arccos a − arccos b)

rmin 2
E + αr − 2 M
m m r2 p p
 
1 p
 = a b + 1 − a2 1 − b 2
... = arccos −1 −
e rmin p
  cos(arcsin z) = 1 − z 2
1
− arccos −
e  
2
α/mv∞ ρ
α M2 φ0 = arccos  q 
E+ − =0 2 ρ)2
1 + (α/mv∞
rmin 2
2 m rmin
 2
α
ρ2 = tan2 φ0
q
EM 2
−α + α2 + ρ2 2
⇒ rmin =
2m
= (e − 1) mv∞
2E p
θ = π − 2φ0 ,

Evaluate the cross-secion

 
dσ  dρ 
= 2πρ(θ)  
dθ dθ
Scattering in the Coulomb field

Differential cross-section Rutherford’s formula (CM frame)

The number of particles scattered in In the Coulomb field U = −α/r the
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and cross-section of elastic scattering is given by
divided by the flux  2
dσ α 1
dσ 1 dNscattered =
= dΩ 2mv∞2 sin4 (θ/2)
dθ J dθ
Note that
Z
dσ
σtot. elast = dΩ =∞
dΩ
-Divergence due to θ ≈ 0 (ρ ≈ ∞). ⇒this
is a consequence of long-range Coulomb
interaction. In any other potential which
falls faster at infinity, σtot. elast = finite.
Scattering in the Coulomb field

Differential cross-section Rutherford’s formula (lab frame)

The number of particles scattered in A stream of charged particles of mass m1
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and and charge q1 is scattering on a thin foil,
divided by the flux
built of particles of mass m2 and charge
dσ 1 dNscattered q2 . Assume that all particles in the stream
=
dθ J dθ 2
have the same energy E = m v∞ /2 and
move towards the foil; the foil is thin, so
after interaction each partcile leaves the
foil immediately. The particles move with
small velocities (vi  c), so there is only
electrostatic interaction between them.
Evaluate the distribution of particles in
the laboratory frame.
Scattering in the laboratory frame
. For incident particles:
v1I sin θ sin θ
tan Θlab = = ,
v1I cos θ + VCM cos θ + γ
γ = (m1 /m2 )

d Θlab 1 + γ cos θ
v1 sin θ = dθ
tan ψ = cos2 Θlab (cos θ + γ)2
v1 cos θ + VCM
v1 sin θ dθ γ2
tan ζ = =1+
v1 cos θ − (m2 /m1 ) VCM d Θlab 1 + γ cos θ
 2
vrel,∞ = v∞ dσ dσ q1 q2 1
= =
m1 µ dΩ 2π sin θ dθ 2µv∞ 2 sin4 (θ/2)
VCM = v∞ = v∞
m1 + m2 m2
Relative velocities in CM frame: dσ dσ dΩ
= =
µ dΩlab dΩ dΩlab
v1I = v∞ ,
m1 dσ sin θ dθ
=
µ dΩ sin Θlab dΘlab
v2I = − v∞ ,
m2
vrel,∞ = v∞
Scattering in the Coulomb field
vrel,∞ = v∞  2
m1 µ dσ dσ q1 q2 1
VCM = v∞ = v∞ = =
m1 + m2 m2 dΩ 2π sin θ dθ 2mv∞ 2 sin4 (θ/2)
Relative velocities in CM frame: Solution according to Mathematica:
µ
v1I = v∞ , !2
m1 dσ
=
q1 q2
×
µ d Ωlab 2
2µv∞
v2I = − v∞ ,
m2
p 
tan (Θlab ) 1 − (γ 2 − 1) tan2 (Θlab ) + γ

vrel,∞ = v∞ − (γ 2 − 1) tan2 (Θlab ) + γ 1 − (γ 2 − 1) tan2 (Θlab ) + 1

p
 q  
2
For incident particles: × γ cos (Θlab ) 1 − (γ 2 − 1) tan2 (Θlab ) + γ + 1

1
 q
4 −1 2
v1I sin θ sin θ × csc tan 1 − (γ 2 − 1) tan2 (Θlab ) − γ tan (Θ
tan Θlab = = , 2
v1I cos θ + VCM cos θ + γ
Significant simplification for γ = 1 (m1 = m2 ):
d Θlab 1 + γ cos θ
= dθ sin θ θ
cos2 Θlab (cos θ + γ)2 tan Θlab = = tan
cos θ + 1 2
2
γ2

dθ dσ q1 q2 4 cos Θlab
=1+ =
d Θlab 1 + γ cos θ d Ωlab 2µv∞ 2
sin4 Θlab
Small-angle scattering

Differential cross-section Evaluate the cross-section for scattering

The number of particles scattered in at small angles in central potential U(r ).
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and Assume that the particles scatter with
divided by the flux
large impact parameter ρ.
dσ 1 dNscattered
=
dθ J dθ
Small-angle scattering

Differential cross-section Evaluate the cross-section for scattering

The number of particles scattered in at small angles in central potential U(r ).
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and Assume that the particles scatter with
divided by the flux large impact parameter ρ.

dσ 1 dNscattered Can assume that logitudinal component

=
dθ J dθ px ≈ const,
∆py
∆py /px ≈ ≈ tanθ
mv∞
Z ∞
∆py = Fy dt
−∞

∂U ∂U y ∂U ρ
Fy = − =− ≈−
∂y ∂r r ∂r r
dx
dt ≈
v∞
But remember that
r dr
r 2 = x 2 + ρ2 ⇒ dx = p
r 2 − ρ2
Small-angle scattering

Differential cross-section Evaluate the cross-section for scattering

The number of particles scattered in at small angles in central potential U(r ).
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and Assume that the particles scatter with
divided by the flux large impact parameter ρ.

dσ 1 dNscattered Can assume that logitudinal component

=
dθ J dθ px ≈ const,
∆py
∆py /px ≈ ≈ tanθ
mv∞
Z ∞
2ρ dU dr
⇒θ≈− 2
p
m v∞ ρ dr r − ρ2
2
 
dσ  d ρ  ρ(θ)
=  
dΩ d θ sinθ
Small-angle scattering

Differential cross-section Evaluate the cross-section for scattering at

The number of particles scattered in small angles in central potential U(r ).
the range of angles (θ, θ + d θ) and Assume that the particles scatter with large
divided by the flux impact parameter ρ.

dσ 1 dNscattered Can assume that logitudinal component px ≈

=
dθ J dθ const,
∆py
∆py /px ≈ ≈ tanθ  1
mv∞
Z ∞
2ρ dU dr
⇒θ≈− 2
p (1)
m v∞ ρ dr r 2 − ρ2
 
dσ  d ρ  ρ(θ)
=   (2)
dθ d θ sinθ

Demonstrate that in case of Coulomb field

U = −α/r the small-angle approximation
(1,2) agrees with general result
Small-angle scattering
Exact result from Lecture 11:
 
Evaluate the cross-section for α
ρ= 2
tan φ0
scattering at small angles in central mv∞
potential U(r ). Assume that the
particles scatter with large impact 
π−θ

parameter ρ. Demonstrate that in tan φ0 = tan
2
case of Coulomb field U = −α/r the  
θ 2
small-angle approximation agrees = cot ≈
with general result 2 θ
2α
⇒θ≈ 2 ρ
Z ∞ mv∞
2ρ dU dr in agreement with (1); in both cases
⇒θ≈− 2
p = (1)
m v∞ ρ dr r − ρ2
2
 
Z ∞ dσ  d ρ  ρ(θ)
2αρ 1 dr 2α =   (2)
= 2 2
p = 2 dθ d θ sinθ
m v∞ ρ r r 2 − ρ2 m ρ v∞
| {z }
ρ−2