Røntgenstrålingsspredning

Røntgenstrålingsspredning refers to the phenomenon where X-rays deviate from their straight path when interacting with matter. This deviation is a result of the interaction between the electromagnetic field of the X-ray photons and the electrons within the atoms of the material. When an X-ray photon encounters an electron, it can transfer some of its energy and momentum, causing the photon to change direction. This process is fundamentally a scattering event.

There are two main types of X-ray scattering: coherent and incoherent scattering. Coherent scattering, also known as Rayleigh scattering, occurs when the X-ray photon interacts with an atom as a whole, and the scattered photons maintain their original wavelength. This type of scattering is responsible for diffraction patterns observed in crystalline materials, which is the basis of techniques like X-ray diffraction. Incoherent scattering, also known as Compton scattering, happens when the X-ray photon interacts with a single electron, transferring energy and momentum to it. This results in the scattered photon having a longer wavelength and thus lower energy than the incident photon.

The extent and type of X-ray scattering depend on factors such as the energy of the X-rays, the atomic number of the scattering material, and the density of the material. Understanding X-ray scattering is crucial in various fields, including medical imaging, materials science, and research in physics and chemistry, as it allows for the characterization of materials and the study of their atomic and molecular structures.