Compton Scattering of a photon by a moving electron

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Compton scattering of a photon by a moving electron, specifically focusing on deriving the wavelength of the scattered photon under the condition that the total energy of the electron is much greater than its rest mass energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive a formula for the wavelength after scattering, starting from an expression involving the initial momentum of the electron. Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the energy of the electron and its implications on the momentum.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different aspects of the problem, including the initial conditions of the photon and electron, and the implications of the approximation E >> mc². There is an ongoing examination of the mathematical steps involved in simplifying the expressions, with some guidance provided on manipulating terms and applying approximations.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted ambiguity regarding the directions of the photon and electron before the collision, which some participants are seeking to clarify. The problem also includes specific conditions for the case where the energy of the electron is significantly greater than its rest mass energy.

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Homework Statement


If the total energy of the electron E>>m[itex]c^{2}[/itex]
Prove that the formula of wavelength would be
[itex]\lambda '[/itex]=[itex]\frac{hc}{E}[/itex](1+[itex]\frac{m^{2}c^{4}\lambda}{4hcE}[/itex])
where [itex]\lambda '[/itex] is the wavelength after scattering
m is the mass of electron

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I have proved that [itex]\lambda '[/itex]=[itex]\frac{\lambda(E-Pc)+2hc}{E+Pc}[/itex]
In my equation, P is the initial momentum of the electron.
I haven't use the given assumption E>>m[itex]c^{2}[/itex]. So we must use it to eliminate P.

But if E>>m[itex]c^{2}[/itex][itex]\Rightarrow[/itex] E[itex]\approx[/itex]Pc
this cannot get the answer
 
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There's no angular dependence? The problem seems a bit ambiguous to me. What are the directions of the photon and electron initially?
 
they are both along x axis, even after collision

The origin question should be
Consider Comton scattering of a photon by a moving electron. Before the collision the photon has wave length λ and is moving in the +x direction, and the electron is moving in the -x direction with total energy E. The photon and electron collide head-on. After the collision both are moving in the -x direction.
(a) Drive an expression for the wavelength λ' of the scattered photon.
(b) Show that for the case E>>mc^2, the result reduces to [itex]\lambda '[/itex]=[itex]\frac{hc}{E}[/itex](1+[itex]\frac{m^{2}c^{4}\lambda}{4hcE}[/itex]
 
Last edited:
OK, you have
$$\lambda' = \frac{\lambda(E-Pc)+2hc}{E+Pc} = \frac{2hc}{E+Pc} + \lambda\frac{E-Pc}{E+Pc}$$Now multiply the second term by (E+Pc)/(E+Pc) and then use the approximation ##E\approx Pc##.
 
vela said:
OK, you have
$$\lambda' = \frac{\lambda(E-Pc)+2hc}{E+Pc} = \frac{2hc}{E+Pc} + \lambda\frac{E-Pc}{E+Pc}$$
The second term will become zero after using E=Pc, since the second term has the factor E-Pc.
 
That's not quite true. You need to multiply by (E+Pc)/(E+Pc) and simplify the numerator and then let E=pC.
 
Last edited:
thx!
 

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