Variational approach to the quantum theory of scattering. II. The Kohn method and Kato eigenvalue problem

Abstract

Certain similarities between the equations arising in scattering theory and the variational approach to time dependent perturbation theory are used to show that the Kohn variational technique for solving scattering problems is equivalent to a variational method for calculating a special set of eigenfunctions, in terms of which the solution to the scattering problem is expanded. Contrary to the results of previous studies, the error term in the scattering problem is bound from below, and the Kohn method is equivalent to a minimum principle. Levinson's theorem is rederived, and extended to higher energies. On the basis of the theory presented in this study, a new method for calculating upper and lower bounds on the energies of resonance and Ramsauer-Townsend states is suggested.