An inverse scattering problem for the Klein-Gordon equation with a classical source in quantum field theory

Abstract

An inverse scattering problem for a quantized scalar field ${\bm \phi}$ obeying a linear Klein-Gordon equation $$ (\square + m^2 + V) {\bm \phi} = J \quad\mbox{in $\mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}^3$} $$ is considered, where $V$ is a repulsive external potential and $J$ an external source. We prove that the scattering operator $\mathscr{S}= \mathscr{S}(V,J)$ associated with ${\bm \phi}$ uniquely determines $V$. Assuming that $J$ is of the form $J(t,x)=j(t)\rho(x)$, $(t,x) \in \mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}^3$, we represent $\rho$ (resp. $j$) in terms of $j$ (resp. $\rho$) and $\mathscr{S}$.