Wavefunction mapping in collision experiments

Abstract

Wavefunction mapping, in terms of the independent-particle representation of a many-body system in momentum space, is effected by reactions in which a particle is removed from the target system and the momenta of all the external particles are measured. Under certain conditions the recoil momentum is essentially the momentum of the knocked-out particle in its bound state. The (e, 2e) reaction is reviewed for atoms and molecules. Its relevance to solids is discussed and examples are given of other reactions that illuminate one-electron band theory. The (p, 2p), (p, pn), (e, e'p), ( gamma , p) and (p, p alpha ) reactions are reviewed for nuclei.