RAD-23

Compton wavelength

λ_C = h / (m_e c) = 2.426 pm. The scale of Compton kinematics.

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AttenuationCompton wavelength

Governing equation

\lambda_C=h/(m_ec)

where

m/m_e: Mass in m_e (—)
\lambda_C: Compton wavelength (pm)
\bar\lambda_C: Reduced (fm)

Lecture brief

Historical brief

Beer attenuation, Compton (1923), Klein–Nishina, Bragg–Gray cavity and KERMA are the transport of photons and charged particles in matter. The sheets compute fluence, kerma and stopping. This sheet (RAD-23 — Compton wavelength) is the form associated with Compton wavelength. Working symbols: $m/m_e$ $\rightarrow$ $\lambda_C$ , $\bar\lambda_C$ . Reduced λ̄_C = ħ / m c = 386 fm is the electron's Compton scale in QED.

Purpose

Purpose: compute

\lambda_C

\bar\lambda_C

from

m/m_e

in Radiation physics via

\lambda_C=h/(m_ec)

λ_C = h / (m_e c) = 2.426 pm. The scale of Compton kinematics. Use it when a real radiation physics question must be answered in SI before a code check.

Live realistic example

In symbols

Live case. Given

m/m_e = 1.000\,\mathrm{—}

, the governing relation

\lambda_C=h/(m_ec)

yields

\lambda_C = 2.4263\,\mathrm{pm}

\bar\lambda_C = 386.16\,\mathrm{fm}

. An electron, a photon, a tiny λ_C ruler. Move a slider: the numbers are this situation, not a canned story.

Calculator

Inputs

Mass in m_e m/m_e1 —

Outputs

Compton wavelength \lambda_C2.4263 pm
Reduced \bar\lambda_C386.16 fm

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Narration of this film

An electron, a photon, a tiny λ_C ruler.

Reduced λ̄_C = ħ / m c = 386 fm is the electron's Compton scale in QED.

Reading speed

Watch on YouTube