Scattering Theory

This graduate-level text, intended for any student of physics who requires a thorough grounding in the quantum theory of nonrelativistic scattering, emphasizes the time-dependent approach. 1983 edition.

This volume crosses the boundaries of physics' traditional subdivisions to treat scattering theory within the context of classical electromagnetic radiation, classical particle mechanics, and quantum mechanics. Includes updates on developments in three-particle collisions, scattering by noncentral potentials, and inverse scattering problems. 1982 edition.

Much progress has been made in scattering theory since the publication of the first edition of this book fifteen years ago, and it is time to update it. Needless to say, it was impossible to incorporate all areas of new develop ment. Since among the newer books on scattering theory there are three excellent volumes that treat the subject from a much more abstract mathe matical point of view (Lax and Phillips on electromagnetic scattering, Amrein, Jauch and Sinha, and Reed and Simon on quantum scattering), I have refrained from adding material concerning the abundant new mathe matical results on time-dependent formulations of scattering theory. The only exception is Dollard's beautiful "scattering into cones" method that connects the physically intuitive and mathematically clean wave-packet description to experimentally accessible scattering rates in a much more satisfactory manner than the older procedure. Areas that have been substantially augmented are the analysis of the three-dimensional Schrodinger equation for non central potentials (in Chapter 10), the general approach to multiparticle reaction theory (in Chapter 16), the specific treatment of three-particle scattering (in Chapter 17), and inverse scattering (in Chapter 20). The additions to Chapter 16 include an introduction to the two-Hilbert space approach, as well as a derivation of general scattering-rate formulas. Chapter 17 now contains a survey of various approaches to the solution of three-particle problems, as well as a discussion of the Efimov effect.

This monograph addresses researchers and students. It is a modern presentation of time-dependent methods for studying problems of scattering theory in the classical and quantum mechanics of N-particle systems. Particular attention is paid to long-range potentials. For a large class of interactions the existence of the asymptotic velocity and the asymptotic completeness of the wave operators is shown. The book is self-contained and explains in detail concepts that deepen the understanding. As a special feature of the book, the beautiful analogy between classical and quantum scattering theory (e.g., for N-body Hamiltonians) is presented with deep insight into the physical and mathematical problems.

The aim of this book is to give a systematic and self-contained presentation of the Mathematical Scattering Theory within the framework of operator theory in Hilbert space. The term Mathematical Scattering Theory denotes that theory which is on the one hand the common mathematical foundation of several physical scattering theories (scattering of quantum objects, of classical waves and particles) and on the other hand a branch of operator theory devoted to the study of the behavior of the continuous part of perturbed operators (some authors also use the term Abstract Scattering Theory). EBBential contributions to the development of this theory are due to K. FRIEDRICHS, J. CooK, T. KATo, J. M. JAuCH, S. T. KURODA, M.S. BmMAN, M.G. KREiN, L. D. FAD DEEV, R. LAVINE, W. 0. AMREIN, B. SIMoN, D. PEARSON, V. ENss, and others. It seems to the authors that the theory has now reached a sufficiently developed state that a self-contained presentation of the topic is justified.

It has now been almost ten years since our first book on scattering theory ap peared [32]. At that time we claimed that "in recent years the development of integral equation methods for the direct scattering problem seems to be nearing completion, whereas the use of such an approach to study the inverse scattering problem has progressed to an extent that a 'state of the art' survey appears highly desirable". Since we wrote these words, the inverse scattering problem for acoustic and electromagnetic waves has grown from being a few theoreti cal considerations with limited numerical implementations to a weH developed mathematical theory with tested numerical algorithms. This maturing of the field of inverse scattering theory has been based on the realization that such problems are in general not only nonlinear but also improperly posed in the sense that the solution does not depend continuously on the measured data. This was emphasized in [32] and treated with the ideas and tools available at that time. Now, almost ten years later, these initial ideas have developed to the extent that a monograph summarizing the mathematical basis of the field seems appropriate. This book is oUf attempt to write such a monograph. The inverse scattering problem for acoustic and electromagnetic waves can broadly be divided into two classes, the inverse obstacle problem and the inverse medium problem.

In 1947, it was discovered that multiple scattering theory (MST) can be used to solve the Schröedinger equation for the stationary states of electrons in a solid. Written by experts in the field, J S Faulkner, G Malcolm Stocks and Yang Wang, this book collates the results of numerous studies in the field of MST and provides a comprehensive, systematic approach to it. For many scientists, students and engineers working with multiple scattering programmes, this will be a useful guide to help expand the existing knowledge of MST as well as understanding its future implications.

This self-contained book gives fundamental knowledge about scattering and diffraction of electromagnetic waves and fills the gap between general electromagnetic theory courses and collections of engineering formulas. The book is a tutorial for advanced students learning the mathematics and physics of electromagnetic scattering and curious to know how engineering concepts and techniques relate to the foundations of electromagnetics