Scattering Theory 29:276

Scattering Theory

29:276

Fall 2004


Class Information



Instructor Information




General Information


Scattering theory is the most important tool for learning about the structure and interactions of atomic, nuclear, and sub-nuclear systems. I will start by covering basic aspects of scattering theory. The first few lectures will develop time-dependent scattering theory. This will be used to derive familiar expressions from time-independent scattering theory. In this development I will discuss the definition of the scattering cross section and how to apply scattering theory to real experimental situations, such as partially polarized beams of projectiles. I will discuss the role of symmetries in scattering theory. While most of the development will be on scattering theory in non-relativistic quantum mechanics, I will also discuss the relationship to classical scattering, relativistic scattering, and scattering with long-range interactions.

Later in the semester I will discuss the two and three-body scattering in detail. Of particular interest in the two-body problem are analytic properties of scattering amplitudes and their relation to bound states and the inverse scattering problem, scattering equivalences and the interpretation of observables. I will also discuss computational methods for solving scattering problems. For the three and many-body problem I will discuss the Faddeev equation and its many-body generalizations.

A portion of the class may be devoted to specific areas of student interest. Some potential topics for projects are scattering with confining interactions, radon transforms and imaging, scattering of black holes, scattering and particle production, and moment-methods.

Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. In addition to homework, each student will be required to prepare a paper on a topic of interest and to present a short talk on her/his chosen topic at the end of the semester. The final grade will be based on the homework, the final paper, and the oral presentation.

I plan to cover a number of topics. It is impossible to find all of them all in a single text; and many only appear in research papers. I have chosen the text by Newton because it is a good comprehensive text, a good reference, and it is available in an inexpensive paperback edition from Dover. I will post notes on all of the material that I cover in lectures.

  • Office hours: TBA.

  • Course website: http://www.physics.uiowa.edu/~wpolyzou/scattering/
    Lecture Notes

    Supplementary References (Books)



    Supplementary References (Papers)