Semiclassical collision theory: Self-consistent classical path method

A new method for obtaining self-consistent classical trajectories in the semiclassical ‘‘classical path’’ approach is suggested. The method is obtained by introducing a reformulation of the effective potential obtained from the Feynman path integral approach to inelastic scattering. It is then possible to reduce the search for the self-consistent path to a search in a one-parameter space. It is shown that in general several solutions may exist and that quantum interference between the trajectories may be included using techniques available from classical S-matrix theory.