Lectures In Scattering Theory

Lectures in Scattering Theory discusses problems in quantum mechanics and the principles of the non-relativistic theory of potential scattering. This book describes in detail the properties of the scattering matrix and its connection with physically observable quantities. This text presents a stationary formulation of the scattering problem and the wave functions of a particle found in an external field. This book also examines the analytic properties of the scattering matrix, dispersion relations, complex angular moments, as well as the separable representation of the scattering amplitude. The text also explains the method of factorizing the potential and the two-particle scattering amplitude, based on the Hilbert-Schmidt theorem for symmetric integral equations. In investigating the problem of scattering in a three-particle system, this book notes that the inapplicability of the Lippman-Schwinger equations can be fixed by appropriately re-arranging the equations. Faddeev equations are the new equations formed after such re-arrangements. This book also cites, as an example, the scattering of a spin-1/2 particle by a spinless particle (such as the scattering of a nucleon by a spinless nucleus). This text is suitable for students and professors dealing with quantum mechanics, theoretical nuclear physics, or other fields of advanced physics.

These lecture notes are intended as a non-technical overview of scattering theory.

This set of lecture notes on quantum mechanics aims to teach, in a simple and straightforward manner, the basic theory behind the subject, drawing on examples from all fields of physics to provide both background as well as context. The self-contained book includes a review of classical mechanics and some of the necessary mathematics. Both the standard fare of quantum mechanics texts — the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, angular momentum as well as topics such as symmetry with a discussion on periodic potentials, the relativistic electron, spin and scattering theory are covered. Approximation methods are discussed with a view to applications; these include stationary perturbation theory, the WKB approximation, time dependent perturbations and the variational principle. Together, the seventeen chapters provide a very comprehensive introduction to quantum mechanics. Selected problems are collected at the end of each chapter in addition to the numerous exercises sprinkled throughout the text. The book is written in a simple and elegant style, and is characterized by clarity, depth and excellent pedagogical organization.

Scattering theory is, roughly speaking, perturbation theory of self-adjoint operators on the (absolutely) continuous spectrum. It has its origin in mathematical problems of quantum mechanics and is intimately related to the theory of partial differential equations. Some recently solved problems, such as asymptotic completeness for the Schrödinger operator with long-range and multiparticle potentials, as well as open problems, are discussed. Potentials for which asymptotic completeness is violated are also constructed. This corresponds to a new class of asymptotic solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. Special attention is paid to the properties of the scattering matrix, which is the main observable of the theory. The book is addressed to readers interested in a deeper study of the subject.

Describes the relation between classical and quantum mechanics. This book contains a discussion of problems related to group representation theory and to scattering theory. It intends to give a mathematically oriented student the opportunity to grasp the main points of quantum theory in a mathematical framework.