68 Introduction to Modern Physics

Kinetic energy of compton electron: The kinetic energy imparted to the recoil electron is
given by
2π!c 2π!c  λ′ − λ  ∆λ
T = !! – !!' = − = 2π!c   = hc ...(1.9.9)
λ λ′  λλ′  λ ( λ + ∆λ )

In terms of initial energy E of photon, the kinetic energy of electron can be expressed as
E
T = E − E′ = E −
 2E θ
1+  sin2 
 m c2 2 
 0

2E2 θ
2
sin2
m0 c 2
T=
2E θ ...(1.9.10)
1+ 2
sin2
mo c 2
The Compton electron acquires maximum kinetic energy when photon is scattered at angle
" =180°. Hence

 2E 
 2 

 m0 c  ,
T max = " = 180° ...(1.9.11)
 2E 
1+ 
 m c2 
 0 

T min = 0 for " = 0.

Recoil direction of electron: If the Compton electron moves in the direction making angle #
with the direction of incident photon, the law of conservation of x and y components momentum
permits us to write
pe cos ϕ + p′ cos θ = p
pe sin # = p' sin "
p′ sin θ E′ sin θ
Hence tan ϕ = =
p − p′ cos θ E − E′ cos θ

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex. 8. X-rays of wavelength 1.0 Å are scattered by a carbon block. The scattered radiations are
observed at 60°, 90°and 180°. Find (a) Compton shift (b) kinetic energy imparted to the recoil electron.
Sol. (a) Compton shift $% =%c(&– cos ")
 Origin of Quantum Concepts !! 69

$% 60 = %c (1 – cos 60°) = 0.5%c = 0.012 Å

$% 90 = %c (1 – cos 90°) = %c = 0.024 Å
$% 180 = %c (1 – cos180°) = 2%c = 0.048 Å
(b) Kinetic energy imparted to the electron
 1 1  ch  ∆λ 
T = E − E ′ = ch  −  =  
 λ λ ′  λ  λ + ∆λ 
12400 eVÅ  0.012Å 
(i) T =   = 147eV
1.00Å  1.012Å 
(ii) T = 290 eV
(iii) T = 568 eV

Ex. 9. For what wavelength of incident photon it shows Compton scattering in which the energy of
scattered photon is one-half that of incident photon at a scattering angle of 45°? In what region of the
electromagnetic spectrum does such a photon lie?
Sol. Given that E = E/2 , therefore %' = 2% and $% = %
Now $% = %c (1 – cos 45°)
% = %c (& – 1/'2) = 0.0071 Å (gamma ray)

Ex. 10. A photon with energy 1.00 MeV is scattered by a stationary free electron. Find the kinetic
energy of electron if the photon’s wavelength changed by (!= 25% due to scattering.
Sol. Given that $%/% =)( = 0.25
Kinetic energy of recoil electron
ch  ∆λ  η  0.25 
T=   =E = (1.00 MeV )   = 0.20 MeV.
λ  λ + ∆λ  1+ η  1 + 0.25 
Ex. 11. A photon of energy 250 k eV is scattered at an angle "!=120° by a stationary free electron.
Find the energy of the scattered photon.
Sol. Energy of scattered photon

E
E′ =
 E 
1+  (1 − cos θ)
 m c 2 
 0 
Putting E = 0.250 MeV, m0c2 = 0. 510 MeV and cos120° = 0. 50 we get E' = 0.143 MeV.
Ex. 12. A photon with momentum p = 1.02 MeV/c is scattered by a stationary free electron. Its
momentum on scattering becomes p' = 0.255 MeV/c. At what angle is the photon scattered?
Sol. Compton shift %' – % = %c (&)– cos ")
h h  θ
− = λ c  2 sin2 
p′ p  2
70 Introduction to Modern Physics

θ h  p − p′ 
sin2 =  
2 2λ c  pp′ 

1  p − p′ 
= 2 m0 c  
 pp′ 

1 MeV   0.765MeV c 
=  0.51  
2 c   1.02 MeV c × 0.255MeV c
= 0.7502

θ
sin = 0.86 = sin 60
2
" = 120°.

Ex. 13. A photon is scattered at an angle " =120° by a stationary free electron. As a result the
electron acquires a kinetic energy T = 0.45 MeV. Find the energy of the incident photon.
Sol. The energy of the scattered photon is given by
m0 c2 E
E′ =
m0 c2 + 2E sin 2 θ 2
Kinetic energy of electron
m0 c2 E
T = E – E' = E –
m0 c2 + 2E sin2 θ 2
2E2 sin2 θ 2
T =
m0 c2 + 2Esin 2 θ 2
This is quadratic equation in E. When solved for E, we get

T 2m0 c2 
1 + 1 +
E= 
2 Tsin2 θ 2 
 
Substituting T = 0.45 MeV, m0c2= 0.51MeV, " = 60°, we find E = 0.67 MeV

1.10 BREMSSTRAHLUNG
The quantum nature of radiation is also confirmed by the existence of a short wavelength limit of
the bremsstrahlung X-ray spectrum. The bremsstrahlung is the radiation produced by deceleration of
the electrons and is also called braking radiation. X-rays are produced when solid targets are bombarded
with fast electrons. An X-ray tube is an evacuated bulb with several electrodes. The electrons are
produced by thermionic emission. These electrons are accelerated under high potential difference
and then directed to fall on anode (anticathode) made of heavy metals (W, Cu, Pt etc.). Almost all
energy of electrons is liberated on the anticathode in the form of heat and only from 1 to 3% of