Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-advanced-quantum-physics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2015/paper-1/1/b/solution

At incident wave number , low kinetic energy means : the de Broglie wavelength is much larger than the scattering region. A generic finite-range scatterer can then be described to leading order without resolving its angular structure. In partial-wave scattering, this is leading S-wave scattering. The spherical harmonic is constant, whereas the centrifugal term impedes penetration to the potential for .
For a central potential with regular threshold behaviour, the finite-range partial-wave threshold law gives . Thus
which is independent of scattering angle. For finite nonzero scattering length , and is isotropic. The potential range and scattering length are different quantities. The claim describes the generic leading S-wave scattering limit; tuned vanishing S-wave scattering amplitude or exceptional threshold resonances require separate analysis rather than a universal angular conclusion.

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