Quantum Mechanics II

Scattering (3):
Formalities
The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation;
The S-Matrix & the T-Matrix

Tristan Hübsch
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Howard University, Washington DC
http://physics1.howard.edu/~thubsch/
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation

Start with bb =b H
H bb0 + b
W
b “Resolvents”
b b
b( zb b ] b1 b0 (z)b := [z H 1
b0 ] b
then define G ) := [ z H G z2C

and b(z) =b: G

b(z) : b G
b T b0 (bz) + bG
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G

b0 (z) T
G b0 (z) = G
b(z) G b( z ) b0 (z)
G
b b b
From this,
bG
T b 1G
b0 = G b 1
0

2
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation

Start with bb =b H
H bb0 + b
W
b “Resolvents”
b b
b( zb b ] b1 b0 (z)b := [z H 1
b0 ] b
then define G ) := [ z H G z2C

and b(z) =b: G

b(z) : b G
b T b0 (bz) + bG
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G

b0 (z) T
G b0 (z) = G
b(z) G b( z ) b0 (z)
G
b b b b b
From this,
b b
b b
b 1 b
b bb b
1b
b
T G0 = G0 G 11 = G0 G G G b
b 1bbb = (bG
G b 1 bGb 1 )Gb
0
b
b bb bbb bb bb bbbb b b b
b
= z H0 (z H ) G G== WG T G0 = W G
b b b 1 b b b
bG
W b=G b G b 1 Gb0 W
b =1 G b 1
b0 G G b 1=1
b0 G b0 W
G b
0
b0 T
G bG
b=G b 1 bW
1 = ··· = G b
0

2
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation

Start with bb =b H
H bb0 + b
W
b “Resolvents”
b b
b( zb b ] b1 b0 (z)b := [z H 1
b0 ] b
then define G ) := [ z H G z2C

and b(z) =b: G

b(z) : b G
b T b0 (bz) + bG
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G

b0 (z) T
G b0 (z) = G
b(z) G b( z ) b0 (z)
G
b b b b b
From this,
b b
b b
b 1 b
b bb
T G0 = G0 G 11 = G0 G G Gb
1b
b b
b 1bbb = (bG
G b 1 bG b 1 )Gb
0
b
b bb bbb bb bb bbbb b b b
b
= z H0 (z H ) G G== WG T G0 = W G
b b b 1 b b b 1
b b 1 b b
bG
W b=G b G b 1 Gb0 W
b =1 G b0 G
b Gb0 G
b =1 G b0 W
b
0
b b bb bb bb
b0 T
G b=G bGb 1 1 = ··· = G bWb bG
G b 1 =1+GbWb
0 0
1=G b 1G
b0 G b 1 = [1 G
bG b0 W
b ][1 + GbW b] [
0
2
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation

Start with bb =b H
H bb0 + b
W
b “Resolvents”
b b
b( zb b ] b1 b0 (z)b := [z H 1
b0 ] b
then define G ) := [ z H G z2C

and b(z) =b: G

b(z) : b G
b T b0 (bz) + bG
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G

b0 (z) T
G b0 (z) = G
b(z) G b( z ) b0 (z)
G
b b b b b
From this,
b b
b b
b 1 b
b bb
T G0 = G0 G 11 = G0 G G Gb
1b
b b
b 1bbb = (bG
G b 1 bGb 1 )Gb
0
b
b bb bbb bb bb bbbb b bb b
= z H0 (z H ) G G== WG T G0 = W G
b b b 1 b b b 1
b b 1 b b
bG
W b=G b G b 1 Gb0 W
b =1 G b0 G
b b0 G
G b =1 G b0 W
b
0
b b bb bb bb bb
b0 T
G b=G bGb 1 1 = ··· = G bWb bG
G b 1 =1+G bWb
0 0
1=G b 1G
b0 G b 1 = [1 G
bG b0 W
b ][1 + GbW b] ] [1[ + G
bWb ] = [1 G b0 W
b] 1
0
2
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [1 b G bb]
b0 W 1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation bG

T b0 = W
bGb
b b bb b b
Now use⇥ this:
⇥b b b b ⇤
b( z ) = G
G b0 (z) + G
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G
=Gb0 (z) + G
b0 (z)Wb (z) G
b( z )
⇥

3
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [1 b G bb]
b0 W 1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation bG

T b0 = W
bGb
b b bb b b
Now use⇥ this:
⇥b b b b ⇤
b( z ) = G
G b0 (z) + G
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G
b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
⇥
⇥ ⇤
=Gb0 (z) + G
b0 (z)Wb (z) Gb0 (z) + G
b0 (z)W
b (z) G
b( z )

3
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [1 b G bb]
b0 W 1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation bG

T b0 = W
bGb
b b bb b b
Now use⇥ this:
⇥b b b b ⇤
b( z ) = G
G b0 (z) + G
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G
b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G⇥ (z) ⇤
b b ⇥
b ⇥ bb b b b ⇤
b b b b b b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
b( z ) = G
G b0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + . . .

This computes the resolvent of the full Hamiltonian iteratively.

b b b b
The T-operator is then expressed similarly:
bG
b(z) = W
T b 1
bG
0

3
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [1 b G bb]
b0 W 1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation bG

T b0 = W
bGb
b b bb b b
Now use⇥ this:
⇥b b b b ⇤
b( z ) = G
G b0 (z) + G
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G
b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G⇥ (z) ⇤
b b ⇥
b ⇥ bb b b b ⇤
b b b b b b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
b( z ) = G
G b0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + . . .

This computes the resolvent of the full Hamiltonian iteratively.

b b b
b b
b b b b b b b b b b
The T-operator is then expressed similarly: b b b b

bG
b(z) = W
T b 11 = W
bG b [G
b0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bG b 1
b0 + . . . ] G
0 0

3
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [1 b G bb]
b0 W 1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation bG

T b0 = W
bGb
b b bb b b
Now use⇥ this:
⇥b b b b ⇤
b( z ) = G
G b0 (z) + G
b0 (z) T b0 (z)
b(z) G
b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G⇥ (z) ⇤
b b ⇥
b ⇥ bb b b b ⇤
b b b b b b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b b
b
= G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z) + G0 (z)W (z) G0 (z)W (z) G (z)
b( z ) = G
G b0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + . . .

This computes the resolvent of the full Hamiltonian iteratively.

b b bb b
b b b b b b b
The T-operator is then expressed similarly: b b b b b b b
bb
b bbb b b
b b b b
b bb b b b
b bbb b bbb
bG
b(z) = W
T bGb 11 = W b [G
b0 + G b0 W
bG b0 + G b0 W
bG b0 W
bG b 1
b0 + . . . ] G
0 0
b
b bb bb b b
b bbb b b b b
b bb b bbb b bb
= W [1 + G0 W + G0 W G0 W + G0 W G0 W G0 W + . . . ]
b
b +W b b
b [G b
b0 + G b0 W
bGb0 + G b0 WbG b0 W
bG b0 + . . . ]W
b
=W
b +W
b(z) = W
T bG bW b
3
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M Gb0 (z) := [z H b0 ] 1
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [b1 G bb0 W
b ] b1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation b +W

b(z) = W
T bGbW
b
b b bb
So… What does this have to do with scattering?
b | (+) i b b b | (+)
b | Ya i = [ H
Well, consider H b0 +W ] |Ya ii = E ||Ya(+)i i
b | (+) i
b b | (+) i
b
rearrange: [ E H0 ] |Ya i = W |Ya i [E Hb0 ] 1 = G0 ( E+ )

solve: | Y (+)
a i = | F a i + b
G0 ( E + b
) W | Y (+)
a i
| {z } | {z }

4
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M Gb0 (z) := [z H b0 ] 1
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [b1 G bb0 W
b ] b1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation b +W

b(z) = W
T bGbW
b
b b bb
So… What does this have to do with scattering?
b | (+) i b b b | (+)
b | Ya i = [ H
Well, consider H b0 +W ] |Ya i = E |Ya(+) i
b | (+) i
b b | (+) i
b (a plane wave)
rearrange: [ E H0 ] |Ya i = W |Ya i the homogeneous solution b b b b
solve: | Y (+)
a i = | F aai + b
G0 ( E + b
) W | Y (+)
a i [ E Hb 0 ] | Fa i = 0
b| {z } b| 0 {z
a
}b
| {z } | incident {z }
scattering E+ := lim ( E+ie) e >0
out-going e !0
…rearrange
(+)
| Fa i = | Ya i b + b (+) b + b (+)
| i | i
G b ||Yai i = [1 b G0 ( E b
b0 ( E ) W ) W ] | Ya i
|
…and solve
b0 ( E+ ) W
b] 1 b( E+ ) W
b ] | Fa i
(+)
| Ya i = [1 G | Fa i = [1 + G

4
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M Gb0 (z) := [z H b0 ] 1
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [b1 G bb0 W
b ] b1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation b +W

b(z) = W
T bGbW
b
b b bb
So… What does this have to do with scattering?
b | (+) i b b b | (+)
b | Ya i = [ H
Well, consider H b0 +W ] |Ya i = E |Ya(+) i
b | (+) i
b b | (+) i
b (a plane wave)
rearrange: [ E H0 ] |Ya i = W |Ya i the homogeneous solution b b b b
solve: | Y (+)
a i = | F aai + b
G0 ( E + b
) W | Y (+)
a i [ E Hb 0 ] | Fa i = 0
b| {z } b| 0 {z
a
}b
| {z } | incident {z }
scattering E+ := lim ( E+ie) e >0
out-going e !0
…rearrange
(+)
| Fa i = | Ya i b + b (+) b + b (+)
| i | i
G b ||Yai i = [1 b G0 ( E b
b0 ( E ) W ) W ] | Ya i
|
…and solve
b0 ( E+ ) W
b] 1 b( E+ ) W
b ] | Fa i
(+)
| Ya i = [1 G
b b | |iFa i = [1 + G
Now,
b (+) b +W
W | Y a i = [W bGb( E+ ) W
b ] |Fa ii = T
b ( E + ) | Fa i

4
Q
Formal Scattering
bb
M Gb0 (z) := [z H b0 ] 1
II ] bW
[1 + G b ] = [b1 G bb0 W
b ] b1

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation b +W

b(z) = W
T bGbW
b
b b bb
So… What does this have to do with scattering?
b | (+) i b b b | (+)
b | Ya i = [ H
Well, consider H b0 +W ] |Ya i = E |Ya(+) i
b | (+) i
b b | (+) i
b (a plane wave)
rearrange: [ E H0 ] |Ya i = W |Ya i the homogeneous solution b b b b
solve: | Y (+)
a i = | F aai + b
G0 ( E + b
) W | Y (+)
a i [ E Hb 0 ] | Fa i = 0
b| {z } b| 0 {z
a
}b
| {z } | incident {z }
scattering E+ := lim ( E+ie) e >0
out-going e !0
…rearrange
(+)
| Fa i = | Ya i b + b (+) b + b (+)
| i | i
G b ||Yai i = [1 b G0 ( E b
b0 ( E ) W ) W ] | Ya i
|
…and solve
b0 ( E+ ) W
b] 1 b( E+ ) W
b ] | Fa i
(+)
| Ya i = [1 G
b b | |iFa i = [1 + G
Now,
b (+) b +W
W | Y a i = [W bG b( E+ ) Wb ] |Fa ii = T
b ( E + ) | Fa i
…project: b( E+ )|Fa i = hFb |W
h Fb | T b |Ya(+) i
2ph̄2 | A|2 (+)
i= µ f a,b (Wkb )
4
Q
M
II Formal Scattering | i b b |

The Lippmann-Schwinger Equation

(+) b( E+ ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i
|b
This results in | i h |b| i
(+) µ b
f a,b (Wkb ) = 2 2
h F b | T ( E +
)|Fa i
2ph̄ | A|
so that the scattering amplitude is (up to the⇥ numerical coefficients) the
matrix element of the T-(transition)-operator.
Given the iterative computationbb of the T-operator, this provides an
iterative computation| | for the scattering amplitude:
µ ⇥ ⇥ ⇤
(+)
f a,b (Wkb ) = hFb|| W bb
b| + W bb0b(bE+ )W
G b
b b+ |
2ph̄2 | A|2
⇥ b bG
b0 ( E+ )bW
b bG
b0 ( E+ )bW
b ⇤
+ bW i |
⇤
bG
+W b0 ( E )W
+ bGb0 ( E )W
+ bG b +... |
b0 ( E )W
+
…and so on.
This provides an iterative solution to the Lippmann-
Schwinger equation and the scattering amplitude
formally analogous to the stationary state perturbation expansion.
5
Q
Formal Scattering
b | i b| i
M b b
II | (+) i b + b (+) |
Y
| a i = F
| ai + G0 ( E ) W Y
| a i
| {z } | + {z }
The T- and the S-Matrix
(+) b( E ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i

The in- and the out-states are neither complete nor orthogonal
b (+) (+) b ( ) ( )
bGiven H |Ya ii = Ea |bY|a i i H ||Ya ii = Ea |Ya i
compute ⇣ ⇣⇥ ⌘
⇣ ⇥ b ⌘⌘ ⇤ †† ⇥ ⇤†
(+) (+) † b( Ea +ie)Wb | Fa i b( Ea +ie)W
b
h Ya | = | Ya i = 1 + G = h Fa | 1 + G
⇥ ⇥b b ⇤ ⇤
⇥ | = h Fa | 1 + Wb ⇤G
b( Ea ie)
(+)
h Ya | Yb(+) b b (+)
i = hFa |[1 + W G ( Ea ie)]|Yb i

6
Q
Formal Scattering
b | i b| i
M b b
II | (+) i b + b (+)|
Y
| a i = F
| ai + G0 ( E ) W Y
| a i
| {z } | + {z }
The T- and the S-Matrix
(+) b( E ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i

The in- and the out-states are neither complete nor orthogonal
b (+) (+) b ( ) ( )
bGiven H |Ya ii = Ea |bY|a i i H ||Ya ii = Ea |Ya i
compute ⇣ ⇣⇥ ⌘
⇣ ⇥ b ⌘⌘ ⇤ †† ⇥ ⇤†
(+) (+) † b( Ea +ie)W b | Fa i = h Fa | 1 + G b( Ea +ie)W
b
h Ya | = | Ya i = 1 + G
⇥ ⇥b b ⇤ ⇤
⇥ | = h Fa | 1 + W b ⇤Gb( Ea ie)
(+) i h | b b | (+) i
(+) b b
hYa |Yb i = hFa |[1 + W G ( Ea ie)]|Yb i
h | (+) i h | b
b b
b 1 | (+) i
= hFa |Yb i + hFa |W [ Ea ie H ] |Yb i
⇣
⇣ ⌘
b 1b (+) ⌘
= hFa | |Fb i + [ Eb +ie H0 ] W ]| |Yb i
b [ Ea ie 1 (+)
+ h F a |W Eb ] | Yb i

6
Q
Formal Scattering
b | i b| i
M b b
II | (+) i b + b (+)|
Y
| a i = F
| ai + G0 ( E ) W Y
| a i
| {z } | + {z }
The T- and the S-Matrix
(+) b( E ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i

The in- and the out-states are neither complete nor orthogonal
b (+) (+) b ( ) ( )
bGiven H |Ya ii = Ea |bY|a i i H ||Ya ii = Ea |Ya i
compute ⇣ ⇣⇥ ⌘
⇣ ⇥ b ⌘⌘ ⇤ †† ⇥ ⇤†
(+) (+) † b( Ea +ie)W b | Fa i = h Fa | 1 + G b( Ea +ie)W
b
h Ya | = | Ya i = 1 + G
⇥ ⇥b b ⇤ ⇤
⇥ | = h Fa | 1 + W b ⇤Gb( Ea ie)
(+) i h | b b | (+) i
(+) b b
hYa |Yb i = hFa |[1 + W G ( Ea ie)]|Yb i
h | (+) i h | b
b b
b 1 | (+) i
= hFa |Yb i + hFa |W [ Ea ie H ] |Yb i
⇣
⇣ ⌘
b 1b (+) ⌘
= hFa | |Fb i + [ Eb +ie H0 ] W ]| |Yb i
h | b
b
+ F W [ E ie E ] Y 1 | (+) i
a a b b

= hFa |Fb i + hFa |[ Eb +ie Ea ] 1 W

b ]|Y(+) i
b
b 1 (+)
+ hFa |W [ Ea ie Eb ] |Y i b
6
Q
Formal Scattering
b | i b| i
M b b
II | (+) i b + b (+)|
Y
| a i = F
| ai + G0 ( E ) W Y
| a i
| {z } | + {z }
The T- and the S-Matrix
(+) b( E ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i

The in- and the out-states are neither complete nor orthogonal
b (+) (+) b ( ) ( )
bGiven H |Ya ii = Ea |bY|a i i H ||Ya ii = Ea |Ya i
compute ⇣ ⇣⇥ ⌘
⇣ ⇥ b ⌘⌘ ⇤ †† b ⇥ ⇤†
(+) (+) † b( Ea +ie)W b | Fa i = h Fa | 1 + G
b( Ea +ie)W
b
h Ya | = | Ya i = 1 + G
⇥ h |b ⇤ | i
⇥ | = h Fa | 1 + W b ⇤G
b( Ea ie)
(+) (+)
b (+) b (+)
h F a |W | Y b i h F a |W | Y b i
h Ya | Yb i = h Fa | Fb i + +
Eb +ie Ea Ea ie Eb

= hFa |Fb i = (2p )3 d(3) (~k a ~k b )da,b orthogonal

Similarly

hYa( ) |Yb( ) i = hFa |Fb i = (2p )3 d(3) (~k a ~k b )da,b orthogonal

7
Q
Formal Scattering
b | i b| i
M b b
II | (+) i b + b (+)|
Y
| a i = F
| ai + G0 ( E ) W Y
| a i
| {z } | + {z }
The T- and the S-Matrix
(+) b( E ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i

To prove the +/– non-orthogonality, calculate:

( ) (+) ii = hhFa |[
| 1+G b
b b † | (+) i
b
h Ya | Yb ( Ea ie)W ] |Yb i
(+) b b 1 | (+) i
= Fa Yb + Fa W [ Ea +ie H ] Yb
h | i h |
⇣ b 1b ⌘
b
= hFa | |Fb i + [ Eb +ie H0 ] W ]| |Yb i b (+)

h |b b 1 | (+) i
+ hFa |W [ Ea +ie Eb ] |Yb i
= hFa |Fb i + hFa |[ Eb +ie Ea ] 1 W b ]|Y(+) i
b
b 1 (+)
+ hFa |W [ Ea +ie Eb ] |Yb i
b (+)
b b (+)
b
h F a |W | Y b i h F a |W | Y b i
= h Fa | Fb i + +
Eb +ie Ea Ea +ie Eb
2ie b (+)
= h Fa | Fb i h F a | b |Y i
W
( Ea Eb )2 + e2 b
e !0 b (+)
! hFa |Fb i 2pi d( Ea Eb )hFa |W |Yb i
8
Q
Formal Scattering
b | i b| i
M b b
II | (+) i b + b (+) |
Y
| a i = F
| ai + G0 ( E ) W Y
| a i
| {z } | + {z }
The T- and the S-Matrix
(+) b( E ) W
| Ya i = [1 + G b ] | Fa i

Finally, !h | i h |b| i

hYa( ) |Yb(+) i = (2p )3 d(3) (~k a ~k b )da,b b( Ea+ )|Fb i

2pi d( Ea Eb )hFa | T
| i
Define:
Sa,b := hhYa( )||Yb(+)ii

= (2p )3 d(3) (~k a ~k b )da,b } 2pi d|( E{z E

a }| ) b
T
b a,b ( E
{z }
+
a )
Z
This S-matrix “translates”
Z in-states into out-states:
Z Z
| a i Âb | b i b
Y (+)
= Y ( )
h Y ( )
| Y (+)
a i =
1
(2p )3 Â d3~k b Sb,a |Yb( ) i
| {z } b | {z } | {z } b | {z }
| {z
out } | {z
in } | S{z
b,a
} | {z
in }
Z
The !-functions in the S-matrix insure that only states of the
same energy are mixed (conservation of energy)

9
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix | {z }

The S-matrix is aZZ unitary matrix:

Z
Z
|Ya i = Â |Yb i Sb,a = Â |Yb i hYb |Ya i
(+) ( ) ( ) ( ) (+)

b
b b
b
Z
Z Z
Z
1
| Yb i = Â | Ya i h Ya | Yb i = Â | Ya i (S
( ) (+) (+) ( ) (+)
)a,b
a a
1 †
(S )a,b = hYa(+) |Yb( ) i = (Sb,a )⇤ = (S )a,b
…but it is not the matrix representation of a unitary operator!
…since scattering states do not form a complete basis.
The S-matrix is only
h defined
| i between states of the same
energy:
Sa,b = da,b 2pi d( Ea Eb ) Ta,b ( Ea )
+
da,b = (2p )3 d3 (~k a ~k b )da,b

…while the T-matrix is defined for all states:

h | b
b( E)|| Fb ii
Ta,b ( E) = hFa | T
= h F a |Wb +G b0 W
bG b0 + G
b0 W
bGb0 W
bGb0 + . . . |Fb i
10
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix

Unitarity of the S-matrix implies a condition for the T-matrix

da,c = (S † )a,b Sb,c,c = Sb,a
⇤
Sb,c
⇤
= [db,a + 2pi d( Eb Ea ) Tb,a ][db,c 2pi d( Eb Ec ) Tb,c ]
⇤
= da,c + 2pi d( Ec Ea )[ Tc,a Ta,c ]
Z
+ 4p 2 Â ⇤
d( Eb Ea )d( Eb Ec ) Tb,a Tb,c
Now, b

d( Eb Ea )d( Eb Ec ) = d( Eb Ea )d( Ea Ec ) =

11
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix

Unitarity of the S-matrix implies a condition for the T-matrix

da,c = (S † )a,b Sb,c,c = Sb,a
⇤
Sb,c
⇤
= [db,a + 2pi d( Eb Ea ) Tb,a ][db,c 2pi d( Eb Ec ) Tb,c ]
⇤
= da,c + 2pi d( Ec Ea )[ Tc,a Ta,c ]
Z
+ 4p 2 Â ⇤
d( Eb Ea )d( Eb Ec ) Tb,a Tb,c
Now, b

d( Eb Ea )d( Eb Ec ) = d( Eb Ea )d( Ea Ec ) = d( Ec Ea ) = d( Ea Ec )
so Z
i
0= ⇤
d( Ea Ec )[ Tc,a Ta,c ] + Â d( Eb Ea )d( Ea Ec ) Tb,a
⇤
Tb,c
2p b
i.e., Z
1 ⇤
[ Tc,a Ta,c ] = Â d( Eb Ea ) Tb,a
⇤
Tb,c
2pi b
11
Q
M
II Formal Scattering 1
Tc,a ( Ea ) =
+
Z
2ph̄2
µ
(+)
f a,c (Wkc )
Z⇤
The T- and the S-Matrix
⇤
[ Tc,a Ta,c ] = Â d( Eb Ea ) Tb,a Tb,c
2pi b
For c = a, this implies
Z
1 ⇤
[ Ta,a Ta,a ] = Â d( Eb Ea ) Tb,a ⇤
Tb,a
2pi b
Z
1 1 3~ 2
p
=m[ Ta,a ] = 3
(2p ) b d k b d ( Eb E a ) | Tb,a |
⇣ ⌘
Z Z ⇣ 2 2 2 2⌘
2h̄2 1 2 2 h̄ k b h̄ k a 2
µ =m[ f a,a (q = 0)] = 3
(2p ) b k b dk b d W kb d 2µ 2µ | Tb,a |
Z Z
forward 1 2 2 2
Â
µ
= 3
k b dk b d W kb h̄2 k d ( k b k a ) | T b,a |
scattering (2p ) b b
amplitude Z
1 µ
!!! =
(2p )3 h̄2 Âb
k b d

scattering probability
2
W kb | T b,a | 2

summed over all out-going states

12
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix

So, the unitarity of the S-matrix implies

Z
2h̄2 1 µ
=m[ f a,a (q = 0)] =
= Â kb d2 Wkb | Tb,a |2
µ
(2p )3 h̄2 b
Now, Z Z
2 kb
sT := sa!all = Â 2
d Wkb sa!b (Wkb )) =
= Â d Wkb | f ab (Wkb )|2
all-inclusive b b
ka
Z Z
kb µ 22 µ2 Z 2 2
=Â 2
d Wkb 2 Tb,a = 4p2 h̄4 k  k b d Wkb Tb,a
b
k a 2ph̄ a
b
Z

13
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix

So, the unitarity of the S-matrix implies

Z
2h̄2 1 µ
=m[ f a,a (q = 0)] =
= Â kb d2 Wkb | Tb,a |2
µ
(2p )3 h̄2 b
Now, Z Z
2 kb
sT := sa!all = Â 2
d Wkb sa!b (Wkb )) =
= Â d Wkb | f ab (Wkb )|2
all-inclusive b b
ka
Z Z
kb µ 22 Z 2 µ2 2
2
=  d Wkb 2 Tb,a = 4p2 h̄4 k  k b d Wkb Tb,a
b
k a 2ph̄ a
b
Z
2pµ 1 µ Z 2 22 2pµ 2h̄2
=
h̄ k a (2p )3 h̄2
2 Â kb d Wkb Tb,a = 2
h̄ k a µ =m[ f a,a (q = 0)]
b

Finally, we have: 4p
sT = ka =m[ f a,a (q = 0]

optical theorem

13
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and| theiS-Matrix
S
Using a,b : = h Y ( )
a | Y (+)
b i derive a few symmetry properties
b | i | i b
Time-reversal: T |Ya i = |YTa i Ta = Tb(~k a , a) = ( ~k a , Ta)
b (+) ( )

T bhY( ) |Ya(+) i = hY(+) |Y( ) i = hY( ) |Y(+) ib

b(Sb,a ) = T ⇤⇤
i = S ⇤ bh
b Tb Ta Ta Tb Ta,Tb

On the other hand, time-reversal is antilinear b(Sb,a ) = S⇤

T b,a
This produces
equalities ⇤
STa,Tb = b(Sb,a ) = S⇤
T
among b,a
scattering conjugation # ⇤ #⇤ #⇤
amplitudes STa,Tb = b(S⇤ ) = Sb,a
T b,a

For cross-sections, ka2 "Ta→Tb = kb2 "b→a, from the bottom line

If (Ta,Tb) = (a,b) up to 180°-rot (T-inv. int. states; e.g., no spin)

14
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix

If (Ta,Tb) = (a,b) up to 180°-rot (T-inv. int. states; e.g., no spin)

(kb, b) T(ka, a)
(ka, a) (–ka, a)
T(kb, b)
(–kb, b)

15
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and the S-Matrix

If (Ta,Tb) = (a,b) up to 180°-rot (T-inv. int. states; e.g., no spin)

(kb, b) (–kb, b) T(ka, a)

(ka, a) (–ka, a)
(–ka, a) T(kb, b)
(–kb, b)

15
Q
M
II Formal Scattering
The T- and| theiS-Matrix
S
Using a,b : = h Y ( )
a | Y (+)
b i derive a few symmetry properties
b | i | i b
Time-reversal: T |Ya i = |YTa i Ta = Tb(~k a , a) = ( ~k a , Ta)
b (+) ( )

T bhY( ) |Ya(+) i = hY(+) |Y( ) i = hY( ) |Y(+) ib

b(Sb,a ) = T ⇤⇤
i = S ⇤ bh
b Tb Ta Ta Tb Ta,Tb

On the other hand, time-reversal is antilinear b(Sb,a ) = S⇤

T b,a
This produces
equalities ⇤
STa,Tb = b(Sb,a ) = S⇤
T
among b,a
scattering conjugation # ⇤ #⇤ #⇤
amplitudes STa,Tb = b(S⇤ ) = Sb,a
T b,a

For cross-sections, ka2 "Ta→Tb = kb2 "b→a, from the bottom line

If (Ta,Tb) = (a,b) up to 180°-rot (T-inv. int. states; e.g., no spin)
(STa,Tb = Sa,b) = Sb,a the S-matrix is symmetric; detailed balance holds
and reverse (inverse) scattering has the same scattering amplitude
16
 Quantum Mechanics II

Now, go forth and

calculate!!
Tristan Hübsch
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Howard University, Washington DC
http://physics1.howard.edu/~thubsch/