Variable-phase method and Levinson's theorem in two dimensions: Application to a screened Coulomb potential

The variable-phase approach is applied to scattering and bound states in an attractive Coulomb potential, statically screened by a two-dimensional (2D) electron gas. A 2D formulation of Levinson's theorem is used for bound-state counting and a hitherto undiscovered, simple relationship between the screening length and the number of bound states is found. As the screening length is increased, sets of bound states with differing quantum numbers appear degenerately.