Particle Physics Integral Calculation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the Fourier transform of the Coulomb potential for quantum mechanical scattering. The potential is given as U(r) = 2Ze²/(4πε₀r), and the user struggles with the integral's convergence when attempting to compute it directly. It is suggested to use the Yukawa potential as an alternative approach, taking the limit as u approaches zero, while noting that treating the Coulomb potential as a distribution is necessary for proper convergence. The user also questions the validity of the Yukawa approximation and its relation to the first Born approximation. The conversation emphasizes the complexities of integrating potentials in quantum mechanics and the need for careful mathematical treatment.
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Homework Statement


In calculating the quantum mechanical amplitude for the Coulomb potential (scattering of say \alpha particle off a massive particle of charge Ze), I came across a Fourier transform which I could not calculate.

If
U(r)=\frac{2Ze^2}{4\pi\epsilon_0 r}
then
\tilde{U}(k)=\int U(\mathbf{x})e^{i\mathbf{k}\cdot\mathbf{x}}d^3x=\frac{Ze^2}{\epsilon_0 k^2}

Could you please help me calculate this integral


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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It looks pretty straightforward, just choose your coordinate system so that \textbf{k} points along the z-axis and perform the integration in spherical coordinates.

Edit: It turns out that the integral doesn't converge directly, so instead you may wish to transform the Yukawa potential \frac{1}{r}e^{-ur}, and then take the limit as u\to 0. Strictly speaking, this is only valid if you treat the Coulomb potential as a distribution and not a mathematical function (otherwise, the limit of the integral need not be the same as the integral of the limit).
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your reply, I tried integrating over \mathbb{R}^3 but my integral does not converge for 0\leq r<\infty i.e. integrating

\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^{\pi}\int_0^{\infty}r e^{ikr \cos\theta} \sin\theta dr d\theta d\phi

Doing the \theta integration first I get

\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^{\infty}\frac{2\sin kr}{k}dr d\phi

But the r integration does not converge. Am I using the wrong limits
 
Did you read the edit part of my post?
 
Yes I read the edit part of your post, but in my lecture notes there was nothing said about approximation by the Yukawa potential, the integral was just given as I stated it above. Is the integral an approximation? It partially works out when integrated. (also is it related to the first born approximation?)
 
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