Abstract
The derivation of the expression for the density matrix of scattered particles in terms of that of the incident ones, taking different impact parameters into account, shows that under well-specified and realistic conditions, the final density matrix is of the same kind as the initial one. Thus the final mixed state after a collision can be used directly as the initial mixed state in a subsequent collision. Contrary to a recent claim by Band and Park, there are no “fundamental difficulties with quantum mechanical collision theory.”
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This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant PHY 77-25337.
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Newton, R.G. The density matrix of scattered particles. Found Phys 9, 929–935 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00708700
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00708700