Compton effect

E99416

The Compton effect is the increase in wavelength (and corresponding decrease in energy) of X-rays or gamma rays when they scatter off electrons, providing key evidence for the particle nature of light.

All labels observed (4)

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf physical phenomenon
quantum effect
scattering process
alsoKnownAs Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
category Quantum mechanics
Radiation physics
Scattering theory
conserves energy
momentum
contradicts classical wave theory of light alone
dependsOn scattering angle
describes decrease in energy of X-rays or gamma rays after scattering
increase in wavelength of X-rays or gamma rays after scattering
hasApplicationIn astrophysics
gamma-ray spectroscopy
material analysis
medical imaging
radiation therapy
hasClassicalLimit Thomson scattering
hasFormulaForShift Δλ = (h / (m_e c)) (1 − cos θ)
hasKeyEquation λ' − λ = (h / (m_e c)) (1 − cos θ)
hasMaximumShiftAt scattering angle 180 degrees
hasQuantity Compton wavelength
Compton wavelength shift
linked to: Compton effect
hasSymbol Δλ
involves electrons
photons
isDescribedIn quantum electrodynamics
isImportantFor high-energy astrophysical sources
understanding radiation shielding
isTypeOf inelastic scattering
maximumWavelengthShift 2 h / (m_e c)
namedAfter Arthur Holly Compton
linked to: Arthur H. Compton
occursInRegime high-energy photons
occursMoreStronglyFor larger scattering angles
occursOn free electrons
loosely bound electrons
occursWith X-rays
gamma rays
providesEvidenceFor photon concept
quantum theory
relatedTo Klein–Nishina formula
Thomson scattering
photoelectric effect
shows particle nature of light
usedTo calibrate high-energy photon detectors
measure electron momentum distributions
wasExplainedBy Arthur Holly Compton
linked to: Arthur H. Compton
yearExplained 1923

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Referenced by (11)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Arthur H. Compton knownFor Compton effect
Arthur H. Compton knownFor Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
quantum electrodynamics predicts Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
Klein–Nishina formula relatedTo Compton scattering formula for photon energy shift
linked to: Compton effect
Compton effect alsoKnownAs Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
Compton effect hasQuantity Compton wavelength shift
linked to: Compton effect
Arthur H. Compton notableFor Compton effect
Thomson cross section relatedTo Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
photon participatesInProcess Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
X-ray polarimeter basedOn Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect
Kramers–Heisenberg dispersion formula relatedTo Compton scattering
linked to: Compton effect