Thread Closed

Pair Production

 
Share Thread
Dec21-03, 06:17 PM   #1
 

Pair Production


I'm pretty much okay with pair production but in the eqt we have that a photo gives an electron and a positron. If we do it the other way round we have an electron and a positron giving 2 photos in order to conserve momentum. Why do we not have 2 photos of energy for pair production ir order to conserve momentum?
PhysOrg.com physics news on PhysOrg.com

>> Cheap, color, holographic video: Better holographic video displays
>> First entanglement between light and optical atomic coherence
>> EUROnu project recommends building Neutrino Factory
Dec21-03, 07:40 PM   #2
 
Recognitions:
Science Advisor Science Advisor
You are correct (up to a point). Pair production in a vacuum does require two photons to interact. However, when a high energy photon passes near a nucleus of an atom (the heavier the better), it can give rise to pair production alone, with the nucleus taking care of the momentum balance.
Dec22-03, 03:20 PM   #3
 
Is that to do with the recoil momentum of the nucleus? I've heard it mentioned before so just wondering if that's what is going on here.
Dec22-03, 07:06 PM   #4
 
Recognitions:
Science Advisor Science Advisor

Pair Production


Your description is correct. It also explains why heavier nuclei are better. It is easier for them to absorb the recoil momentum.
Thread Closed

Similar discussions for: Pair Production
Thread Forum Replies
Pair production Advanced Physics Homework 5
Pair production Introductory Physics Homework 0
pair production Quantum Physics 1
pair production High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics 14
Pair Production Introductory Physics Homework 13