Tutorials
Scattering Tutorials
As an aid to understanding quantum mechanical scattering, we have developed a short tutorial, and a series of Java Applets. The tutorial is currently only available as a pdf file:
Scattering off of a resonant barrier
Here is a little Java applet for investigating the phase-shifts for s-wave scattering off of a square well. The applet makes use of an engine called LiveGraphics3D .
Move your mouse over the square below, and the applet should load.
On the left is the potential. By dragging the nine black points you can change the potential. The scattering length is given by a red and dot. Units are chosen so that hbar=m=1. On the right is the scattering phase shift as a function of k.
Some points to note: 1) When a bound state is just below threshold, the scattering length is large and positive. 2) When the resonant state is just above threshold, the scattering length is large and negative. 3) The phase shift at k=0 gives the number of bound states. 4) The phase shift vanishes at k=infinity. 5) A finite energy resonance leads to a jump of pi of the phase shift. 6) The jump becomes sharper if the barrier is made taller or thicker.