Two Dimensional J-Matrix Approach to Quantum Scattering

Abstract

We present an extension of the J-matrix method of scattering to two dimensions in cylindrical coordinates. In the J-matrix approach we select a zeroth order Hamiltonian, H0, which is exactly solvable in the sense that we select a square integrable basis set that enable us to have an infinite tridiagonal representation for H0. Expanding the wavefunction in this basis makes the wave equation equivalent to a three-term recursion relation for the expansion coefficients. Consequently, finding solutions of the recursion relation is equivalent to solving the original H0 problem (i.e., determining the expansion coefficients of the system's wavefunction). The part of the original potential interaction which cannot be brought to an exact tridiagonal form is cut in an NxN basis space and its matrix elements are computed numerically using Gauss quadrature approach. Hence, this approach embodies powerful tools in the analysis of solutions of the wave equation by exploiting the intimate connection and interplay between tridiagonal matrices and the theory of orthogonal polynomials. In such analysis, one is at liberty to employ a wide range of well established methods and numerical techniques associated with these settings such as quadrature approximation and continued fractions. To demonstrate the utility, usefulness, and accuracy of the extended method we use it to obtain the bound states for an illustrative short range potential problem.