Abstract
It has been shown that an analysis of radial stationary state wave functions of a particle in terms of their loops leads to such continuous, single-valued and finite functions which represent a practically convenient form of the radial wave packets of that particle at various positions. The radial wave packets have been used to investigate target distortion in electron-atom collisions. The distortion of the target is defined in terms of quantum-mechanical probabilities given by the wave packets. A closed expression which depends upon the position of the colliding electron, is obtained for the potential energy of the target in the field of the colliding electron.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Goldberger M L and Watson K M 1964Collision theory (New York: Wiley)
Messiah A 1966Quantum mechanics (New York: Wiley) Vol. I
Pauling L and Wilson E B 1935Introduction to quantum mechanics (New York: McGraw Hill) p 142
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lal, R., Joshi, S.K. A method for constructing radial wave packets with application to target distortion in electron-atom collisions. Pramana - J. Phys. 14, 191–199 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02848242
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02848242