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)]