ABSTRACT

This chapter considers the basic problem of the scattering of a beam of particles by an immovable scattering centre which exerts a force on the moving particles depending only on the separation r. The concept of scattering cross-section is very useful in dealing with the interaction of a beam of particles with a scattering centre. The chapter discusses the scattering problem by solving the time-independent Schrodinger equation. Conservation of energy implies that, after the scattering is complete, the freely-moving deflected particles will have the same energy and de Broglie wavelength as the incident particles. In order to simplify the geometry, consider a parallel flux of particles moving parallel to a line of incidence through the immovable scattering centre. Conservation of energy implies that, after the scattering is complete, the freely-moving deflected particles will have the same energy and de Broglie wavelength as the incident particles.