A direct numerical solution of the Schrödinger equation for quantum scattering problems is presented. The wave function for each partial wave is expanded in coupled spherical harmonics and the corresponding radial functions are expanded in a local basis set using finite-element analysis, with the appropriate scattering boundary conditions. The method is shown to give very accurate results for elastic phase shifts (S,P,D, and F) and resonance positions for electron-hydrogen scattering.

• Received 6 April 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.46.R1155