A method is proposed for calculating elastic and inelastic three-particle scattering amplitudes in the breakup region using a coordinate-space variational approach, with each coordinate multiplied by a complex phase factor. The trial wave functions have relatively simple asymptotic forms. The method applies to short-range potentials analytic in coordinate space. A numerical example indicates that the method works well for two-particle scattering.

• Received 27 June 1969

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.188.1542