Coulomb's wave constant, abbreviated as \(k_e\), also called Coulomb wave function or Coulomb wave factor, is a mathematical function used in quantum mechanics to describe the behavior of charged particles in the presence of a central attractive or repulsive force, typically the electrostatic Coulomb force between charged particles. It plays a role in describing the scattering of charged particles by a central potential, such as the scattering of electrons by atomic nuclei. The value of Coulomb's wave constant depends on the units used for mass, charge, and Planck's constant. It is used to characterize the behavior of charged particles in quantum mechanical systems subject to a Coulomb potential.
