Scattering matrices for the quantum 𝑁 body problem

Abstract

Let H H be a generalized N N body Schrödinger operator with very short range potentials. Using Melrose’s scattering calculus, it is shown that the free channel ‘geometric’ scattering matrix, defined via asymptotic expansions of generalized eigenfunctions of H H , coincides (up to normalization) with the free channel ‘analytic’ scattering matrix defined via wave operators. Along the way, it is shown that the free channel generalized eigenfunctions of Herbst-Skibsted and Jensen-Kitada coincide with the plane waves constructed by Hassell and Vasy and if the potentials are very short range.