Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / ii / Paper 2 / 32C / a / Solution

Normalize the solution by its incoming amplitude at $+\infty$. The transmission coefficient and reflection coefficient areFor two solutions of the same equation in Sturm-Liouville form, the modified Wronskianis independent of $x$. Take ${\psi }_1={\varphi }_k$ and ${\psi }_2=\overline{{\varphi }_k}$. At $-\infty$ this gives $W=-2ik$, while at $+\infty$ it givesTherefore $|a{|}^2-|b{|}^2=1$, and division by $|a{|}^2$ yields conservation of scattering flux: