Structure of Resonances in Electron Scattering by Hydrogen Atoms

Jospeh C. Y. Chen
Phys. Rev. 156, 150 – Published 5 April 1967
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Abstract

A study of the structure of resonances just below the n=2 excitation threshold in electron scattering by hydrogen atoms is carried out by utilizing an approximate method adopted from the projection-operator formalism. Analytic expressions for the level width near the threshold are obtained for both the singlet-and triplet-compound-state series with zero total angular momentum. It is found that the level widths behave like the level spacings in that they decrease exponentially as the levels approach the threshold. Nevertheless, the ratio between the level spacings and widths remains a constant less than 1. It is then concluded from the study that within the approximations adopted in the method, neither the singlet nor triplet series of the compound states become overlapping near the threshold. However, the Lamb shift may, by removing the degeneracy in the n=2 levels, cut off these infinite sequences of compound states, thereby restricting the number of allowed resonances. The interference between potential and resonance scatterings is also examined.

  • Received 3 October 1966

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.156.150

©1967 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jospeh C. Y. Chen*,†

  • University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
  • Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder, Colorado

  • *Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics Visiting Fellow (1965-1966). Present address: Department of Physics and Institute for Radiation Physics and Aerodynamics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.
  • Of the National Bureau of Standards and University of Colorado.

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Vol. 156, Iss. 1 — April 1967

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