Superoperator methods of calculating cross sections: II. Distorted wave Born approximation

Abstract

The superoperator form of the collision cross section is evaluated within the distorted wave Born approximation. It is first verified that the obvious expansion methods give a result identical to that obtained by standard methods. Formalistically, the algebraic expansions of the transition operator and superoperator are shown to have parallel structures. The distorted wave Born approximation for the cross section also has a structure parallel to the structure of the Born approximation cross section. This is especially brought out by formulating the results in terms of time correlation functions. Certain simplifying features are found for cross sections averaged over initial and final velocity directions. These cross sections for internal state transitions are further simplified by averaging over a Maxwellian distribution of initial velocities in such a way as to obtain 'kinetic cross sections' appropriate for gas kinetic phenomena. Connection is also made with the 'constant acceleration approximation' used to estimate correlation functions in gas phase NMR.