Discover the dynamics of photon-electron interactions with our advanced Compton Scattering Calculator. Easily determine the Compton wavelength shift, the final wavelength of the scattered photon, the recoil energy of the electron, and its recoil speed. Input the initial photon wavelength and scattering angle to get instant, accurate results crucial for quantum physics studies and experimental analysis of X-rays or gamma rays.
Formula:
The Compton scattering phenomenon describes the change in wavelength (Compton Shift) of a photon after scattering off a charged particle, typically an electron. The relevant formulas are:
Compton Wavelength Shift (Δλ):
Δλ = λ' - λ = (h / (mec)) * (1 - cos θ)
Final Wavelength (λ'):
λ' = λ + Δλ
Electron Recoil Energy (Ee):
Ee = E - E' = hc((1/λ) - (1/λ'))
Recoil Electron Speed (ve):
From Ee = (γ - 1)mec2, where γ = 1 / √(1 - ve2/c2)
Where:
- Δλ = Compton Wavelength Shift (meters)
- λ' = Final photon wavelength after scattering (meters)
- λ = Initial photon wavelength (meters)
- h = Planck's constant (6.626 x 10-34 J·s)
- me = Electron rest mass (9.109 x 10-31 kg)
- c = Speed of light (2.998 x 108 m/s)
- θ = Scattering angle of the photon (radians or degrees)
- E = Initial photon energy
- E' = Final photon energy