In electron/photon interactions does the handedness of the photon matter?

Edward Milne

In an interaction between a free electron and a photon does the handedness of the photon matter?

For example, does an electron interact more strongly with a left-handed photon or with a right-handed photon (assuming both photons have the same frequency)?

Does the electron spin (left- or right-handed) affect the strength of the interaction?

Or is the interaction strength independent of electron spin and photon spin?

Many thanks for your help.

M Quack

It does matter, for example in magnetic Compton scattering.

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/ph...t/magxray/mcs/

Edward Milne

MQ, thank you very much for the useful information on magnetic Compton scattering.

EM.