Compton scattering

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

Compton Scattering is a phenomenon in physics, first explained by Arthur Holly Compton, that confirms the quantum nature of x-rays. If a stream of x-rays is fired at a target the rays will be scattered and the scattered radiation will have smaller frequency (and longer wavelength) than the incident radiation. The change in wavelength is dependant on the angle through which the radiation is scattered. Arthur Compton earned the 1927 Nobel Prize for Physics for his discovery.

Compton Scattering Formula

If the radiation is scattered at an angle θ, and λ and λ'are the incident and scattered wavelengths then;