Photonenstreuung

Photonenstreuung, also known as Compton scattering, is a fundamental process in physics where a photon interacts with an electron, transferring part of its energy to the electron and changing its trajectory. This phenomenon was first described by Arthur Holly Compton in 1923 and is a key example of the particle-like properties of light.

In Compton scattering, an incoming photon collides with a free electron. The photon transfers some of its energy to the electron, causing it to recoil. The remaining energy of the photon is then carried away by a scattered photon, which has a longer wavelength and lower energy than the original photon. The change in wavelength is known as the Compton shift and is directly related to the scattering angle.

Compton scattering is significant in various fields of physics and technology. In astrophysics, it is used to study the properties of cosmic rays and the interstellar medium. In medical imaging, Compton scattering is a source of background noise in gamma-ray imaging techniques. In materials science, it is used to study the electronic structure of materials.

Theoretically, Compton scattering is described by the Klein-Nishina formula, which provides the differential cross-section for the scattering process. This formula takes into account the relativistic effects that become significant when the photon energy is comparable to the electron's rest energy.

In summary, Photonenstreuung, or Compton scattering, is a crucial process in physics that demonstrates the dual nature of light and has applications in various scientific and technological fields.