Quantum Theory of Rutherford Scattering
This Demonstration outlines a quantum-mechanical computation for the scattering of alpha particles from heavy atoms, known as Rutherford scattering. Quite remarkably, the result for the differential cross section agrees perfectly with that computed using classical scattering theory, although the complex scattering amplitude does contain a complex factor.[more]
The Faxen–Holtzmark representation for scattering from a spherically symmetrical potential assumes a wavefunction . The first term represents an incoming plane wave (note that ), while the second term is an outgoing spherical wave, modulated by the scattering amplitude . We consider the scattering potential , where ( for Au, used in Rutherford's original experiments) is the atomic number of the target atom, for the alpha particles, and is a shielding constant due to the atomic electrons, with an approximate value based on the Thomas–Fermi statistical model. The potential, incidentally, has the same form as a Yukawa potential for nucleon-nucleon interaction.
The (first-order) Born approximation is adequate for this problem. The Schrödinger equation is given by , where , the alpha particle mass, and . Where , we then find is the difference between the scattered and incident propagation vectors. The scattering amplitude is then given by . Using and , we obtain the cross section . With , for a pure Coulomb field, this reduces to the famous Rutherford scattering formula . We use Gaussian cgs units for historical continuity. Because of the long range of the Coulomb potential, the scattering cross sections vary over many orders of magnitude and the total (integrated) cross section diverges.[less]
 N. F. Mott and H. S. W. Massey, The Theory of Atomic Collisions, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1965 pp. 53–57.