The Compton scattering is an elastic collision of the x-ray or gamma photons with free electrons (or loosely bound valence shell electrons). This scattering is demonstrated in Fig. 1. In this communication we are combining Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and the Compton scattering. Note, that some of the expressions (including their derivations) of this communication can be found in modern physics textbooks. Figure 1. Schematic representation of Compton scattering, in which an incoming photon scatters from an electron at rest. The electron of the rest mass m e has the rest energy of E r = m e c 2. The Compton scattered electron (hereinafter the Compton electron) posses a relativistic kinetic energy, the relativistic speed υ e and the linear momentum p e = m e υ e. Before scattering, let the photon moves along the positive x-axis having an energy E 0 = hν 0 , frequency ν 0 , wavelength λ 0 and linear momentum p 0 = hν 0 /c, where h (= 6.63 × 10-34 J s) is the Planck constant and c (= 2.99792×10 8 m s-1) is the speed of light. After scattering, the photon moves at an angle θ off the x-axis with an energy E = hν, frequency ν, wavelength λ and momentum p = hν/c. The conservation of linear momentum of the electron after the collision yields, p e 2 = p 0 2 + p 2-2p 0 pcosθ.
The Compton scattering is an elastic collision of the x-ray or gamma photons with free electrons (or loosely bound valence shell electrons). This scattering is demonstrated in Fig. 1. In this communication we are combining Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and the Compton scattering. Note, that some of the expressions (including their derivations) of this communication can be found in modern physics textbooks. Figure 1. Schematic representation of Compton scattering, in which an incoming photon scatters from an electron at rest. The electron of the rest mass m e has the rest energy of E r = m e c 2. The Compton scattered electron (hereinafter the Compton electron) posses a relativistic kinetic energy, the relativistic speed υ e and the linear momentum p e = m e υ e. Before scattering, let the photon moves along the positive x-axis having an energy E 0 = hν 0 , frequency ν 0 , wavelength λ 0 and linear momentum p 0 = hν 0 /c, where h (= 6.63 × 10-34 J s) is the Planck constant and c (= 2.99792×10 8 m s-1) is the speed of light. After scattering, the photon moves at an angle θ off the x-axis with an energy E = hν, frequency ν, wavelength λ and momentum p = hν/c. The conservation of linear momentum of the electron after the collision yields, p e 2 = p 0 2 + p 2-2p 0 pcosθ.
The undergraduate courses on modern physics generally consider the particle interpretation of Compton effect. Motivated by a student's solution in an undergraduate examination on modern physics here we consider the wave characteristics of recoiled electrons in the Compton effect. The de Broglie wavelength, wave and clock frequency of the scattered electrons are expressed in terms of the wavelength and the frequency of the incident and the scattered photons respectively using the familiar particle interpretation of the Compton effect, where initially the electron is at rest and its spin is ignored. Both non-relativistic and relativistic cases are considered. Numerical values of de Broglie wavelength, wave and clock frequency of the scattered electron are calculated for an incident photon energy that was used in the original experiment of Compton as a function of the scattering angle of the recoiled electron. Considering the relativistic effects which are however insignificant for the de Broglie wavelength of the recoiled electron under these conditions, the minimum value obtained is in the range of X-rays. The non-relativistic de Broglie wave frequency obtained by neglecting the rest mass of the electron leads to an underestimation of its value. The implications of de Broglie wavelength and clock frequency for Compton scattering experiments are briefly discussed and possible extensions of the obtained mathematical formulations are indicated. The results are useful for understanding the wave-particle duality of the recoiled electron in the context of the Compton effect.
Compton scattering figures prominently in the introductory chapters of textbooks on quantum mechanics as providing evidence for the ‘‘particulate’’ nature of light. It also arises in discussions of ‘‘Heisenberg’s microscope,’’ in which it is shown that attempts to measure the position and the momentum of an electron simultaneously are governed by the uncertainty principle. However, recent developments in Compton scattering have not yet found their way into the textbooks. In this paper we review the history of the Compton effect and describe briefly some of the modern developments in x-ray and electron Compton scattering and their application to the study of electron momentum densities which we believe to have a pedagogical value. Finally, we return to Heisenberg’s microscope, and show how it has now become a reality. A complete analysis for all scattering angles depends crucially on the different expressions for the resolution and the depth of focus of the microscope.
We demonstrate that the Compton wavelength mathematically corresponds exactly to the photon wavelength of rest mass energy. On the other hand, the de Broglie wavelength is not defined for a rest-mass particle, but if the particle is nearly at rest, then the de Broglie wavelength approaches infinity, and the corresponding photon wavelength of the rest-mass energy is then this length times cv again, that is it approaches zero when v approaches zero. Our analysis indicates that the de Broglie wavelength appears to be a pure mathematical derivative of the Compton wavelength. Everything that can be expressed with the de Broglie wavelength can essentially be expressed by the Compton wavelength. We also demonstrate how spectral lines from atoms and chemical elements are linked to the Compton wavelength of the electron and that the Rydberg constant is not needed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Compton frequency is embedded in the Schrödinger equation, the Dirac equation, and the Klein-Gordon equation, where the Planck constant actually cancels out, and the de Broglie wavelength is not present in these equations. The Compton frequency seems to be linked to the quantization in quantum mechanics rather than the Planck constant. Additionally, we discuss recent literature that shows a remarkably simple but overlooked way to quantize Newton’s and General Relativity theories, as well as other gravity theories, and also how to link them to the Planck scale. This, once again, leads to the conclusion that the Compton wavelength and Compton frequency are related to the quantization of matter and, thereby, the quantization of gravity. In addition, the Planck length plays a crucial role in quantum gravity, as demonstrated. Viewing physics through the de Broglie wavelength is like looking at the world through a distorted lens; switch to the Compton wavelength, and the distortion is removed, allowing us to see simplicity and clarity even in complex phenomena such as quantum gravity. Remarkably, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle seems to need modification to a Certainty-Uncertainty Principle when one understands that the Compton wavelength is the true wavelength of matter. Gravity is related to the Planck mass particle and is again related to absolute rest, which lasts for the Planck time. This certainty-uncertainty principle leads to the unification of gravity and quantum mechanics.
We demonstrate that the Compton wavelength mathematically corresponds exactly to the photon wavelength of rest mass energy. On the other hand, the de Broglie wavelength is not defined for a rest-mass particle, but if the particle is nearly at rest, then the de Broglie wavelength approaches infinity, and the corresponding photon wavelength of the rest-mass energy is then this length times cv again, that is it approaches zero when v approaches zero. Our analysis indicates that the de Broglie wavelength appears to be a pure mathematical derivative of the Compton wavelength. Everything that can be expressed with the de Broglie wavelength can essentially be expressed by the Compton wavelength. We also demonstrate how spectral lines from atoms and chemical elements are linked to the Compton wavelength of the electron and that the Rydberg constant is not needed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Compton frequency is embedded in the Schrödinger equation, the Dirac equation, and the Klein-Gordon equation, where the Planck constant actually cancels out, and the de Broglie wavelength is not present in these equations. The Compton frequency seems to be linked to the quantization in quantum mechanics rather than the Planck constant. Additionally, we discuss recent literature that shows a remarkably simple but overlooked way to quantize Newton’s and General Relativity theories, as well as other gravity theories, and also how to link them to the Planck scale. This, once again, leads to the conclusion that the Compton wavelength and Compton frequency are related to the quantization of matter and, thereby, the quantization of gravity. In addition, the Planck length plays a crucial role in quantum gravity, as demonstrated. Viewing physics through the de Broglie wavelength is like looking at the world through a distorted lens; switch to the Compton wavelength, and the distortion is removed, allowing us to see simplicity and clarity even in complex phenomena such as quantum gravity. Remarkably, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle seems to need modification to a Certainty-Uncertainty Principle when one understands that the Compton wavelength is the true wavelength of matter. Gravity is related to the Planck mass particle and is again related to absolute rest, which lasts for the Planck time. This certainty-uncertainty principle leads to the unification of gravity and quantum mechanics.
Chapter I The origins of quantum physics I The Compton effect — a strange dichotomy in the nature of electromagnetic radiation In a series of experiments conducted between 1919 and 1923, Arthur Holly Compton (Figure 1.1) investigated the scattering of monochromatic (single-wavelength) X-rays from graphite targets. He found that the radiation scattered at an angle 0 to the incident beam contained, in addition to radiation of the same wavelength as the incident radiation, a second component with a considerably longer wavelength. The existence of this second component in the scattered radiation could not be explained by the well-established theory of the scattering of electromagnetic waves by electrons. Compton considered instead the process illustrated in Figure 1.2, in which a particle of electromagnetic radiation, collides with a slow moving electron, which then recoils absorbing some of the X-ray particle’s energy. Treating the process as a collision between particles, and using only the (relativistic) conservation laws of energy and momentum, Compton was able to account for the effect completely. However, at the same time, in the same experiment, Compton was using interference effects, depending wholly on the wave model, in order to determine the wavelength of the scattered radiation. So here was an experiment which apparently required the simultaneous use of both the wave and particle models of electromagnetic radiation for the interpretation of the results! The existence of this strange dichotomy in the nature of electromagnetic radiation was just one indication of the need for a radical revision of views regarding the physical world.
We demonstrate that the Compton wavelength mathematically corresponds exactly to the photon wavelength of rest mass energy. On the other hand, the de Broglie wavelength is not defined for a rest-mass particle, but if the particle is nearly at rest, then the de Broglie wavelength approaches infinity, and the corresponding photon wavelength of the rest-mass energy is then this length times cv again, that is it approaches zero when v approaches zero. Our analysis indicates that the de Broglie wavelength appears to be a pure mathematical derivative of the Compton wavelength. Everything that can be expressed with the de Broglie wavelength can essentially be expressed by the Compton wavelength. We also demonstrate how spectral lines from atoms and chemical elements are linked to the Compton wavelength of the electron and that the Rydberg constant is not needed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Compton frequency is embedded in the Schrödinger equation, the Dirac equation, and the Klein-Gordon equation, where the Planck constant actually cancels out, and the de Broglie wavelength is not present in these equations. The Compton frequency seems to be linked to the quantization in quantum mechanics rather than the Planck constant. Additionally, we discuss recent literature that shows a remarkably simple but overlooked way to quantize Newton’s and General Relativity theories, as well as other gravity theories, and also how to link them to the Planck scale. This, once again, leads to the conclusion that the Compton wavelength and Compton frequency are related to the quantization of matter and, thereby, the quantization of gravity. In addition, the Planck length plays a crucial role in quantum gravity, as demonstrated. Viewing physics through the de Broglie wavelength is like looking at the world through a distorted lens; switch to the Compton wavelength, and the distortion is removed, allowing us to see simplicity and clarity even in complex phenomena such as quantum gravity. Remarkably, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle seems to need modification to a Certainty-Uncertainty Principle when one understands that the Compton wavelength is the true wavelength of matter. Gravity is related to the Planck mass particle and is again related to absolute rest, which lasts for the Planck time. This certainty-uncertainty principle leads to the unification of gravity and quantum mechanics.