A beam of particles of mass m and momentum p=ℏk, incident along the z-axis, is scattered by a spherically symmetric potential V(r), where V(r)=0 for large r. State the boundary conditions on the wavefunction as r→∞ and hence define the scattering amplitude f(θ), where θ is the scattering angle.
Given that, for large r,
eikrcosθ=2ikr1l=0∑∞(2l+1)(eikr−(−1)le−ikr)Pl(cosθ)
explain how the partial-wave expansion can be used to define the phase shifts δl(k)(l= 0,1,2,…). Furthermore, given that dσ/dΩ=∣f(θ)∣2, derive expressions for f(θ) and the total cross-section σ in terms of the δl.
In a particular case V(r) is given by
V(r)=⎩⎪⎨⎪⎧∞,−V0,0,r<aa<r<2ar>2a
where V0>0. Show that the S-wave phase shift δ0 satisfies
tan(δ0)=ksin(2ka)+κcot(κa)cos(2ka)kcos(2ka)−κcot(κa)sin(2ka),
where κ2=2mV0/ℏ2+k2.
Derive an expression for the scattering length as in terms of κ. Find the values of κ for which ∣as∣ diverges and briefly explain their physical significance.