Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N.

Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,

Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

Compton shift derivation:

Compton wanted to study the scattering phenomena of X-rays with a

Carbon target. The schematic diagram of his experimental setup is as
shown in the following figure.

To clearly demonstrate the shift in the wavelength of the X-rays, he has

chosen monochromatic X-rays. Collimators are used to focus the X-rays
finely.

X-ray spectrometer is used to detect the scattered X-rays. Spectrometer

is planned to travel through a circular track, so as to receive scattered
X-rays from 𝟇=0° (for X-rays which are penetrating through the target)
to 𝟇=180°.
Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

Here X-rays photons energy could be chosen in such a way that

electrons will not be ejected outside the carbon atoms. The electrons
are just recoiled (sprang back) due to the collision of the X-ray photons.
Thus x-ray photons are scattered by the electrons.

Compton’s experimental results are as shown in the figure. If photons

were behaved only as waves there should not be any new waves with
new wavelength as shown for scattering angles 𝟇=45°, 𝟇=90°, 𝟇=90°
and 𝟇=135°. The additional waves with wavelengths are due to the
particle nature of the X-rays.

Compton mathematically estimated the shift in the wavelength of the

X-rays by using the laws of conservation of energy and momentum of X-
ray photons and electrons.

Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

Energy,
Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

before collision:

after collision:

By law of Conservation of energy, before and after collision the total

energy of the system (Photon and electron) should be equal.

Momentum

before Collision

along x –axis

along y –axis

Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

after Collision

along x –axis

along y –axis

( )

( )

( )

Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

( )

( )
( )

[ ( ) ]

[ ]

( )
( )

( )

( ) ( )

[ ]

Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

( ) ( )
( [ ])

( ) ( )
( [ ])

( )
( ) ( )

( ) ( )

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Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai
 Engineering Physics - PHY 1701; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor,
Physics Division, VIT-Chennai

Where, ; c - velocity of light;

Engineering Physics - PHY 1001; N. Punithavelan, Assistant Professor, Physics Division, VIT-
Chennai