Compton Scattering Calculator

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Choose whether to enter the photon energy or its wavelength.
Energy of the incoming photon in kiloelectronvolts. For visible light ~2 eV; X-rays 1-100 keV; gamma rays above 100 keV.
keV
Angle between the directions of the incident and scattered photon (0 = forward, 90 = side, 180 = backscatter).
deg
The particle struck by the photon. For classical Compton scattering this is a free electron.
Wavelength shift
2.42631pm

Change in photon wavelength: Delta-lambda = (h/mc)(1 - cos theta)

Scattered photon energy83.6334keV
Scattered photon wavelength14.82473pm
Recoil electron kinetic energy16.3666keV
Electron recoil angle39.907deg
Energy loss fraction16.367%
Differential cross section (dSigma/dOmega)2.8661fm²/sr
Incident photon energy (derived)100keV
Incident photon wavelength (derived)12.39842pm
Compton wavelength of particle2.42631pm
Incident energy (keV)100
Scattered photon energy (keV)83.6334
Recoil electron energy (keV)16.3666

Scattered photon energy: 83.633 keV (down from 100.000 keV).

  • The photon loses 16.37% of its energy (16.367 keV) to the recoil electron.
  • The wavelength increases by 2.42631 pm, a 19.570% shift relative to the incident wavelength.
  • At 90 degrees the wavelength shift equals exactly the Compton wavelength of the scattering particle.
  • At 100.0 keV this photon is in the gamma-ray regime, where Compton scattering is a dominant interaction in matter.

Next stepFor medical imaging or radiation shielding, use this energy transfer alongside mass attenuation coefficients to find the total attenuation of the material.

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