The linear algebraic method for electron-molecule collisions

Conference · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995

OSTI ID:105883

Collins, L A ^[1]; Schneider, B I ^[2]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
2. National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA (United States). Physics Div.

In order to find numerical solutions to many problems in physics, chemistry and engineering it is necessary to place the equations of motion (classical or quantal) of the variables of dynamical interest on a discrete mesh. The formulation of scattering theory in quantum mechanics is no exception and leads to partial differential or integral equations which may only be solved on digital computers. Typical approaches introduce a numerical grid or basis set expansion of the scattering wavefunction in order to reduce `the problem to the solution of a set of algebraic equations. Often it is more convenient to deal with the scattering matrix or phase amplitude rather than the wavefunction but the essential features of the numerics are unchanged. In this section we will formulate the Linear Algebraic Method (LAM) for electron-atom/molecule scattering for a simple, one-dimensional radial potential. This will illustrate the basic approach and enable the uninitiated reader to follow the subsequent discussion of the general, multi-channel, electron-molecule formulation without undue difficulty. We begin by writing the Schroedinger equation for the s-wave scattering of a structureless particle by a short-range, local potential.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 105883
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--95-2878; CONF-9503177--1; ON: DE95016931
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
DEUTERIUM IONS
ELECTRON-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
GREEN FUNCTION
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SCATTERING
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION