Erich W. Schmid – författare

The Quantum Mechanical Three-Body Problem deals with the three-body problem in quantum mechanics. Topics include the two- and three-particle problem, the Faddeev equations and their solution, separable potentials, and variational methods. This book has eight chapters; the first of which introduces the reader to the quantum mechanical three-body problem, its difficulties, and its importance in nuclear physics. Scattering experiments with three-particle breakup are presented. Attention then turns to some concepts of quantum mechanics, with emphasis on two-particle scattering and the Hamiltonian for three particles. The chapters that follow are devoted to the Faddeev equations, including those for scattering states and transition operators, and how such equations can be solved in practice. The solution of the Faddeev equations for separable potentials and local potentials is presented, along with the use of Padé approximation to solve the Faddeev equations. This book concludes with an appraisal of variational methods for bound states, elastic and rearrangement scattering, and the breakup reaction. A promising variational method for solving the Faddeev equations is described. This book will be of value to students interested in three-particle physics and to experimentalists who want to understand better how the theoretical data are derived.

We would like to thank Mr. A.H. Armstrong, who translated this book, for his many valuable suggestions and corrections. We also acknowledge a stimulating response from our readers. Mr. J. Peeck sent us a diskette containing the pro­ grams modified to run on an ATARI computer. Mr. H.U. Zimmermann sent us diskettes, on which the graphics software of the book is adapted to the require­ ments of the FORTRAN-77 compiler by MICROSOFT. Readers interested in these adaptations should contact the authors. Tiibingen, January 1988 E. W. Schmid, G. Spitz v Preface to the German Edition This book is based on the lecture course "Computer applications in Theo­ retical Physics", which has been offered at the University of Tiibingen since 1979. This course had as its original aim the preparation of students for a nu­ merical diploma course in theoretical physics. It soon became clear, however, that the course provides a valuable supplement to the fundamental lectures in theoretical physics. Whereas teaching in this field had previously been prin­ cipally characterised by the derivation of equations, it is now possible to give deeper understanding by means of application examples. A graphical presen­ tation of numerical results proves to be important in emphasizing the physics. Interaction with the machine is also valuable. At the end of each calculation the computer should ask the question: "Repeat the calculation with new data (yes/no)?". The student can then answer "yes" and input the new data, e.g.Floppy disk/supplementary electronic material no longer available.