An Introduction to Scattering Theory

Brady Martin, PhD

The scattering experiment is the most important experimental technique in quantum physics, and it plays a crucial role in our ability to study the properties of elementary particles. In this talk, I will provide a brief introduction to both nonrelativistic single-channel scattering and nonrelativistic multichannel scattering from a theoretical perspective. The talk will largely focus on discussing the importance of the S-matrix and T-matrix in scattering theory and how they are related to the scattering cross section. Emphasis will be placed on keeping the mathematics within the context of an actual experiment.