Physical structure of matter X-ray Physics

5.4.17-00 Compton scattering of X-rays

What you can learn about

 Compton effect
 Compton wavelength
 Rest energy
 Absorption
 Transmission
 Conservation of energy and
momentum
 X-rays
 The Bragg equation

Principle:
Compton scattering is to be achieved
by directing an X-ray beam against a
piece of plastic. The portions of the
scattered X-rays at various angles is
to be measured with a counter tube.
Measurements are to be made with
an absorber positioned in front of
and behind the scatterer, so that the
Compton wavelength can be deter-
mined from the varying intensity at-
tenuation of the X-rays at different
wavelengths, using a premeasured
transmission curve.

What you need: 0.4

X-ray basic unit, 35 kV 09058.99 1

Goniometer for X-ray unit, 35 kV 09058.10 1
Plug-in module with Cu X-ray tube 09058.50 1
Counter tube, type B 09005.00 1
Lithium fluoride crystal, mounted 09056.05 1 0.35

Compton attachment for X-ray unit, 35 kV 09058.04 1

Recommended accessories:
Software X-ray unit, 35 kV 14407.61 1
RS232 data cable 14602.00 1 0.3
PC, Windows 95 or higher

Complete Equipment Set, Manual on CD-ROM included

Compton scattering of X-rays P2541700

0.25
Tasks:
1. The transmission of an aluminium for the same angles as previously,
absorber is to be determined as a and the different transmission coef-
function of the wavelength of the ficients then calculated.
X-rays by means of Bragg scatter- 3. The different transmission coeffi-
l
ing and the measured values plot- cients and the transmission curve
ted graphically. 0.2
are to be used to determine the
2. A scatterer is to be used and the changes in wavelengths.
intensity of the X-rays scattered 4. The Compton wavelength for 90
at different angles determined. scattering is to be determined and 55 60 65
The intensity attenuation which compared with the theoretical l/pm
occurs on placing an aluminium value.
absorber in front of, and behind,
Transmission curve of aluminium.
the scatterer is to be determined
Experimental set-up for 90 Compton scattering.
252 Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. KG D - 37070 Gttingen
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Compton scattering of X-rays 5.4.17
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Related topics Equipment

Compton effect, Compton wavelength, rest energy, absorption, X-ray basic unit, 35 kV 09058.99 1
transmission, conservation of energy and momentum, X-rays, Goniometer for X-ray unit, 35 kV 09058.10 1
the Bragg equation. Plug-in module with Cu X-ray tube 09058.50 1
Counter tube, type B 09005.00 1
Principle Lithium fluoride crystal, mounted 09056.05 1
Compton scattering is to be achieved by directing an X-ray Compton attachment for X-ray unit, 35 kV 09058.04 1
beam against a piece of plastic. The portions of the scattered Recommended accessories:
X-rays at various angles is to be measured with a counter tube. Software X-ray unit, 35 kV 14407.61 1
Measurements are to be made with an absorber positioned in RS232 data cable 14602.00 1
front of and behind the scatterer, so that the Compton wave- PC, Windows 95 or higher
length can be determined from the varying intensity attenuation
of the X-rays at different wavelengths, using a premeasured
transmission curve.

Fig. 1: Experimental set-up for 90 Compton scattering.

Phywe series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen 25417-00 1
 LEP
5.4.17 Compton scattering of X-rays
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Tasks Insert the aluminium absorber between the X-ray outlet and the
1. The transmission of an aluminium absorber is to be deter- crystal and repeat the above procedure to measure the pulse
mined as a function of the wavelength of the X-rays by rate N2(q).
means of Bragg scattering and the measured values plotted Calculate the wavelength l as a function of the glancing angle
graphically. q, using the Bragg equation:
2. A scatterer is to be used and the intensity of the X-rays scat-
tered at different angles determined. The intensity attenua- 2d sin q = n l (lattice constant d = 201.4 pm) (1)
tion which occurs on placing an aluminium absorber in front
of, and behind, the scatterer is to be determined for the same If the measured number of pulses is N, then the relative error of
angles as previously, and the different transmission coeffi- the measurement is given by the ratio:
cients then calculated.
3. The different transmission coefficients and the transmission N 2N 1
  (2)
curve are to be used to determine the changes in wave- N N 2N
lengths.
4. The Compton wavelength for 90 scattering is to be deter- At high pulse rates N, because of the dead time t 90 ms of the
mined and compared with the theoretical value. counter tube, not all incoming photons are recorded. The true
pulse rate N* must therefore be determined by means of the
relation:
N
N*  (3)
Set-up and procedure 1  tN
Part 1: Determination of the transmission of aluminium
Fix the diaphragm tube with 2 mm diameter aperture in the X-ray The corrected pulse rates can now be used to calculate the
outlet cylinder of the plug-in module that is to be used. With the transmission values as a function of wavelength l and plot them
X-ray unit switched off, connect the goniometer to the SUB-D graphically (Fig. 4).
socket in the base plate of the experimenting area. Fit the
counter tube in the counter tube holder to the stop and screw it Part 2: The determination of Compton scattering
tight. Connect the counter tube cable to the BNC socket in the Remove the crystal and replace it with the plastic scatterer.
base plate of the experimenting area. Position this at an angle of 135 (see Fig. 2). Replace the
Set the counter tube holder to the right stop and the goniometer diaphragm tube with d = 2 mm aperture with the one with d =
with mounted LiF crystal in the middle position. Lock each of 5 mm aperture. Turn the counter tube to 90 and measure the
them in these positions. pulse rates, using the following set-ups:
The following settings are recommended: N3: with plastic scatterer but without the aluminium absorber
Anode voltage UA = 35 kV; Anode current IA = 1 mA N4: with plastic scatterer and with the aluminium absorber in
Determine the pulse rate N1(q) of the X-rays reflected by the position 1
crystal in angle steps of 0.1 between the glancing angle q = N5: with plastic scatterer and with the aluminium absorber in
(7.5-9.5), by means of synchronized rotation of the crystal and position 2
the counter tube in the angular relationship 2:1. Use a measur- For the measurement of N5, clamp the absorber on the rods of
ing time of 100 s. the counter tube holder.

Fig. 2: Schematic representation of the 90 Compton scattering

arrangement.
Fig. 3: Momentum relationships in Compton scattering (p1/p2 =
photon momentum before/after collision, m S
v = elec-
tron momentum after collison.

2 25417-00 Phywe series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen
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Compton scattering of X-rays 5.4.17
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To obtain the necessary exactitude, use a measuring time of 3 x 0.4

100 s for each measurement and take the mean value for the
calculation of the transmission coefficient. If necessary, the dead
time and background radiation must be taken into account to
obtain the real pulse rates N*. T
Note: Never expose the counter tube to primary radiation for a
longer length of time.

Theory and evaluation 0.35

A schematic representation of the scattering geometry of the T1
Compton effect is shown in Fig. 3. The incident photon suffers a
loss in energy when it is scattered from its original direction
under scattering angle a, while the free electron is emitted under
angle b from the collision point with a gain in energy.
From the principle of conservation of energy and momentum
(and taking the relativistic electron mass into account), a change
0.3
in the wavelength l of the scattered photon as a function of the
T2
scattering angle finally occurs:

11  cosa 2  2 sin2 a b
h h a
l  (4)
m0c m0c 2

where:
Planck's constant h = 6.626 10-34Js 0.25
The velocity of light c = 2.998 108 m/s-1
The rest mass of the electron m0 = 9.109 10-31 kg

The change in wavelength for 90 scattering is called the

Compton wavelength, and contains the energy: l

hc h
Ec  h fc   m0c2 ; lc   2.426 pm (5) 0.2
lc m0c

where Ec is the electron rest energy.

Fig. 4 shows the situation for 90 Compton scattering with the 55 60 65

transmission coefficients: l/pm

N*4 32.4 Imp>s

T1    0.3371.6% ;
N*3 96.2 Imp>s Fig. 4: Transmission curve of aluminium.
Experimental set-up for 90 Compton scattering.
N*5 27.8 Imp>s
T2    0.2891.7% ;
N*3 96.2 Imp>s

It can be seen that T1 >T2. The T values recorded in Fig. 4 yield The results for the smaller scattering angles do not correspond
a satisfactory result, a wavelength difference of : well with the theoretical prediction, they nevertheless show that
with decreasing scattering angle, the difference in wavelength
l = lc = (2.50.4) pm. also decreases.

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5.4.17 Compton scattering of X-rays
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4 25417-00 Phywe series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen