Scattering theory - differential and total scattering cross sections, Born approximation, partial wave analysis and phase-shift analysis, relativistic wave equations - Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations and free-particle solutions - One Line Questions
1.
When using the Born approximation for scattering, the scattering amplitude f(θ, φ) is given by: —
-(m / 2πħ²) ∫ V(r') e^(i(k-k')⋅r') dr'
2.
The Klein–Gordon equation is relativistically invariant and has the form: —
(∂²/∂t² - ∇²)ψ - m²ψ = 0
3.
The Dirac equation is a first-order differential equation in both space and time and is Lorentz invariant. It has the form: —
(iγ⋅∂ - m)ψ = 0
4.
What is the spin of particles described by the Dirac equation? —
1/2
5.
The Dirac equation naturally accounts for the spin of the electron, which is: —
1/2
6.
The free-particle solutions of the Dirac equation are represented by: —
A four-component spinor.
7.
The total scattering cross-section σ is obtained by integrating the differential scattering cross-section dσ/dΩ over: —
The entire solid angle (4π sr).
8.
The cross-section in scattering theory has units of: —
Area.
9.
The Dirac equation was developed to describe: —
Fermions with spin 1/2, incorporating relativity.
10.
The Dirac equation's success in predicting the positron was a major triumph for: —
Quantum electrodynamics.
11.
Which relativistic wave equation is used for spin-0 particles? —
Klein–Gordon equation
12.
The quantity (dσ/dΩ) relates to the scattering amplitude f(θ, φ) by: —
dσ/dΩ = |f(θ, φ)|²
13.
For the Klein–Gordon equation, the free-particle solutions are plane waves with energy E and momentum p satisfying: —
E = ±√(p²c² + m²c⁴)
14.
The Klein–Gordon equation is derived from the relativistic energy-momentum relation E² = p²c² + m²c⁴ by substituting: —
E = iħ∂/∂t and p = -iħ∇
15.
For a free particle described by the Klein–Gordon equation, the energy-momentum relation is: —
E² = p²c² + m²c⁴
16.
In scattering theory, the scattering amplitude f(θ, φ) describes the: —
Amplitude of the scattered wave in a particular direction.
17.
Partial wave analysis decomposes the scattering amplitude into contributions from different: —
Angular momentum states (l).
18.
In partial wave analysis, the scattering amplitude for s-wave (l=0) scattering is given by: —
f(θ) = (1/k) e^(iδ₀) sin(δ₀)
19.
In partial wave analysis, the scattering amplitude is given by the sum over all partial waves: —
f(θ) = Σ (2l+1) P_l(cosθ) e^(iδ_l) sin(δ_l) / k
20.
The Klein–Gordon equation describes the behavior of: —
Bosons (integer spin particles).
21.
The Klein–Gordon equation, despite its issues with probability, is crucial in quantum field theory for describing: —
Spin-0 bosons (like the Higgs boson).
22.
What is the main advantage of partial wave analysis over the Born approximation? —
It is particularly effective for low-energy scattering.
23.
A major problem with the Klein–Gordon equation when interpreted as a single-particle wave equation is: —
It leads to negative probabilities.
24.
For low-energy scattering (ka << 1, where k is the wave number and a is the range of the potential), which partial wave usually dominates? —
l = 0 (s-wave)
25.
The Dirac equation predicts that electrons have an intrinsic magnetic moment proportional to their: —
Spin.
26.
Solutions to the Dirac equation for a free particle predict the existence of: —
27.
The term 'relativistic wave equation' implies that the equation is: —
Invariant under Lorentz transformations.
28.
What is the wave function for a free particle satisfying the Klein–Gordon equation? —
Plane wave of the form e^(i(p⋅x - Et)/ħ)
29.
A free particle solution to the Dirac equation can be written as a superposition of four basis states, corresponding to: —
Positive energy, spin up/down and negative energy, spin up/down.
30.
The probability current density for the Klein–Gordon equation has issues with: —
Conservation of probability.
31.
The gamma matrices (γ^μ) in the Dirac equation are: —
4x4 matrices.
32.
The solution to the free-particle Dirac equation involves four-component spinors, denoted by ψ. The components represent: —
Different spin and energy states.
33.
The Dirac equation naturally incorporates: —
Spin-1/2 particles and predicts spin.
34.
What is the unit of total scattering cross-section (σ)? —
Square meters (m²)
35.
What is the physical interpretation of the total scattering cross-section (σ)? —
The area presented by the scattering center to the incident beam for a particular scattering event.
36.
The phase shift δ_l in partial wave analysis represents: —
The difference in phase between the scattered wave and the incident spherical wave for a given l.
37.
Phase-shift analysis is a method used to determine: —
The form of the scattering potential from experimental cross-sections.
38.
The Dirac equation successfully predicted the existence of: —
The positron (antiparticle of the electron).
39.
In the context of the Born approximation for scattering, the scattering amplitude f(θ, φ) is proportional to the Fourier transform of: —
The scattering potential V(r).
40.
The Born approximation is a perturbative method. The first Born approximation calculates the scattering amplitude using the incident wave function to represent the state during the scattering event. This is valid when: —
The wavelength of the incident particle is much smaller than the range of the potential.
41.
In phase-shift analysis, if δ_l is close to an integer multiple of π, it means: —
The l-th partial wave is weakly scattered or not significantly affected.
42.
The phase shift δ_l becomes significant when the incident particle's de Broglie wavelength is roughly comparable to: —
The range of the potential.
43.
In scattering theory, what does the differential scattering cross-section dσ/dΩ represent? —
The probability of scattering into a unit solid angle.
44.
The Klein–Gordon equation is a relativistic wave equation that is second-order in: —
Both time and space derivatives.
45.
In scattering theory, what is the primary role of the scattering potential V(r)? —
To cause the incident wave to deviate from its original path.
46.
The negative energy solutions of the Dirac equation were later interpreted by Dirac as: —
Representing antiparticles.
47.
The Born approximation is most valid when the potential V(r) is: —
Weak and short-ranged.
48.
The optical theorem relates the total scattering cross-section (σ_tot) to the imaginary part of the forward scattering amplitude (f(0)): —
σ_tot = (4π/k) Im[f(0)]