Microscopic Optical-Model Analysis of Electron Scattering from Atomic Hydrogen

The projection-operator formalism advanced by Feshbach is used to derive a numerically tractable equation which describes the elastic scattering of electrons from atomic hydrogen under multichannel conditions. By neglecting the potential of interaction in the inverse operator, analytical expressions can be obtained for the Green's function which permit the inclusion of both discrete and continuum target-state contributions to the optical potential. The numerical procedures used to solve the resulting nonlocal integrodifferential equation and to generate differential, total elastic and inelastic cross sections are discussed. Good agreement is found with available experimental data.