Notes 10: Scattering

Classical scattering theory deals with interactions of classical particles. Quantum scattering theory is more
closely related to refraction of waves. Mainly to introduce terminology and a few concepts and results, we
begin by considering classical scattering.

Classical scattering theory

For simplicity, we will restrict attention to scattering by fixed targets (which will be good
approximation if the target particles are much more massive than the incident particles).

Scattering cross sections

Consider a beam of particles incident on a thin fixed
target. The target particles will scatter some of the incident
particles. The ratio of scattered to unscattered particles will Cross section σ
depend on the surface density of target particles and the
effective size of the target particles. The effective size of the Unit area
target particles is the scattering cross section, usually denoted
by σ.
Suppose the surface density of target particles is ntar (this is the volume density multiplied
by the thickness of the target). The fraction of the incident beam that hits a target and is scattered
is
N sct
= ntarσ . (10.1)
N inc

The differential scattering cross section

Scattered particles will have a range of scattering angles. The fraction of incident
particles that are scattered into a cone of solid angle dΩ ( = sin θ dθ dφ ) about a direction given
by spherical polar angles θ , φ is
1 dN sct dσ
= d Ω ntar d Ω, (10.2)
N inc d Ω dΩ
where dσ d Ω is the differential scattering cross section.
By convention, the z-axis is taken in the direction of the incident beam. Scattering is
often azimuthally symmetric about this direction, which greatly simplifies the calculation of the
differential cross section.

1
Calculating the differential cross section
The differential cross section can be dθ
calculated by considering a collision between two
particles. The impact parameter, b, is equal to the
distance of closest approach of the two particles if b
there were no interaction. For the azimuthally
symmetric case, the scattering angle is a function
of b alone. Consider the figure on right. The
small circle indicates the position of the target
particle.
All particles passing through the annulus of radius b and width db are scattered between
angles θ and dθ . The area of the annulus is equal to the cross section for a cone of solid angle
d Ω =2π sin θ dθ .
Hence
dσ 2π bdb b db
= = , (10.3)
d Ω 2π sin θ dθ sin θ dθ
where the absolute values signs are put in to make the differential cross section positive.
For a given potential energy function describing the interaction between the incident and
target particles, we can find the relationship between b and θ by applying conservation of
energy and angular momentum. Taking the coordinate origin to be at the position of the fixed
target particle, we first find an equation for the particle trajectory in terms of polar co-ordinates r
and Θ (which is used because θ is being used for the scattering angle),
1  dr   l2
2

m ( r + r Θ ) + U=
1
= E 2 2  2
( r )   + r 2  4 + U ( r ) , (10.4)
2 2  d Θ   mr
where E and l are the energy and angular momentum of the incident particle, respectively. Hence
dr mr 4
= ± 2 2  E − U ( r )  − r 2 , (10.5)
dΘ l
where the - sign is taken for the particle approaching the CM and the + sign is taken when the
particle is receding.
From the figure below,

2
 αα θ

α
Target

we see that the scattering angle is given by

θ= π − 2α , (10.6)
where α is the change in angular coordinate of the particle as it moves from infinity to the point
of closest approach. This is given by
∞ ∞
dr dr
=α ∫r = r2
∫
 U (r ) 
r2
. (10.7)
r 2m 2  E − U ( r )  − 1
rmin
1 −  −1
min
r 2
l  E b
The scattering angle depends on the kinetic energy of the incident particle and the impact
parameter.
The point of closest approach occurs when dr dΘ =0, and can be found by setting the
term under the square root to zero.
Two important cases are i) hard sphere scattering, and ii) Rutherford scattering.

Hard sphere scattering

Consider small particles scattered elastically
off a rigid fixed sphere of radius R. From the
figure, we see that
θ b
=
sin α cos = . (10.8)
2 R α
α
Hence b R
α
dσ b db θ 1 R θ R 2
= = R cos = sin .
d Ω sin θ dθ 2 sin θ 2 2 4
(10.9)
We see that hard sphere scattering is
isotropic. Also the total cross-section is π R 2 , the cross-sectional area of the sphere.

3
Rutherford scattering
Rutherford scattering is the important case of a Coulomb potential,
k
U (r ) = . (10.10)
r
In this case
∞
dr
α= ∫ r2 r k
. (10.11)
r 2− −1
rmin

b b bE
Let r = bx, so that
∞
dx
α= ∫
xmin x x − 2κ x − 1
2
, (10.12)

where 2κ = k ( bE ) , and
xmin 2 − 2κ xmin − 1 =0. (10.13)
Making the substitution u = 1 x , we get
umin umin
du du
=α ∫= ∫ . (10.14)
1 − 2κ u − u 2 1 + κ 2 − (u + κ )
2
0 0

Next, make the substitution

u +κ = 1 + κ 2 cos χ ,
to get
χ0
=α ∫=
0
dχ χ0 , (10.15)

where
κ
cos χ 0 = .
1+ κ 2
Hence
κ k
cos α
= = . (10.16)
1+ κ 2
4b E + k 2
2 2

We need to find b in terms of the scattering angle, θ. From equation (10.16), we find
k
b= tan α , (10.17)
2E
and on using equation (10.6), we get
k  π −θ  k θ
= b = tan   cot . (10.18)
2E  2  2E 2
Hence the differential cross section for Rutherford scattering is

4
 dσ
2
b db  k  1
= =   . (10.19)
d Ω sin θ dθ  4 E  sin (θ 2 )
4

Note that the differential cross section is divergent as θ → 0. This leads to the total cross section
being infinite. This is due to the long-range nature of the Coulomb force. Even at large distances,
small deflections occur that contribute to the total cross-section.
In atoms, the nuclei are shielded by the atomic electrons, which effectively shut off the
Coulomb force at distances greater than the size of the atom (polarization effects may still
occur). Electron screening also occurs in plasmas.