Quantum theory of transition scattering

Huai‐Yu Wang

Abstract In quantum mechanics textbooks, a single-particle scattering theory is introduced. In the present work, a generalized scattering theory is presented, which can be in principle applied to the scattering problems of arbitrary number of particle. In laboratory frame, a generalized Lippmann-Schwinger scattering equation is derived. We emphasized that the derivation is rigorous, even for treating infinitesimals. No manual operation such as analytical continuation is allowed. In the case that before scattering N particles are plane waves and after the scattering they are new plane waves, the transition amplitude and transition probability are given and the generalized S matrix is presented. It is proved that the transition probability from a set of plane waves to a new set of plane waves of the N particles equal to that of the reciprocal process. The generalized theory is applied to the cases of one- and two-particle scattering as two examples. When applied to single-particle scattering problems, our generalized formalism degrades to that usually seen in the literature. When our generalized theory is applied to two-particle scattering problems, the formula of the transition probability of two-particle collision is given. It is shown that the transition probability of the scattering of two free particles is identical to that of the reciprocal process. This transition probability and the identity are needed in deriving Boltzmann transport equation in statistical mechanics. The case of identical particles is also discussed.

A.S. Davydov

F. Robicheaux

I present a derivation of the many qualitative changes to basic scattering theory that result when a (partially) coherent matter beam inelastically interacts with a quantum target. The weak beam limit, where only one object in the beam interacts with the quantum target, is developed. Some of the basic changes to scattering theory are as follows. (1) The transition probability can increase as the square of the number of particles in the beam. (2) The transition probability is not proportional to the convolution of the total inelastic cross section with the momentum distribution of the beam. (3) The transition probability to different final states of the target does not depend on the population in the initial states but depends on the amplitudes for the initial states. (4) The total transition probability depends on the differential cross section integrated over all final angles and on the differential cross section only in the forward scattering direction. (5) The transition probability can be nonzero even when the beam misses the target. (6) In the perturbative limit, the transition probability can be related to classical, large scale properties of the beam (such as the average density).

Sow‐Hsin Chen, Michael Kotlarchyk

An Overview of Classical Mechanics The Transition to Quantum Mechanics Classical Treatment of Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation Quantum Properties of the Field Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory, Transition Probabilities, and Scattering The Density Operator and Its Role in Quantum Statistics First-Order Radiation Processes Second-Order Processes and the Scattering of Photons Principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Theory of Photon Counting Statistics Dynamic Structure Factors Linear Response Theory.