HIGH ENERGY ELECTRON SCATTERING FROM A TWO CENTER POTENTIAL

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses high-energy electron scattering from a two center potential. The scattering of high energy electrons from a two center potential is of considerable interest in nuclear and molecular physics. The Schroedinger equation for the problem is separable in spheroidal coordinates, and the scattering cross-section can be given in terms of spheroidal phase shifts. The scattering problem with a relativistic electron has not been studied. The relevant Dirac equation is not separable, and an approximation seems to be the only way out. The chapter presents an approximate solution of the problem, and a generalized form of Sommerfeld–Maue approximation is applied so that the solution of the Dirac equation can be constructed from that of a Schroedinger-like equation. The latter permits a phase shift analysis, and the relativistic scattering cross-section is then obtained in terms of these spheroidal phase shifts. In application to physical problems, a large number of randomly oriented two center scatterers may have to be obtained. The cross section, therefore, has to be averaged over all nuclear orientations. The solution of the Dirac equation with a screened two center potential can be obtained, in the Sommerfeld–Maue approximation, from the solution of the equation.