Questions and Answers
What is coherent scattering also known as?
Describe how coherent scattering works.
A very low energy photon interacts with an electron or atom without ionization, causing it to vibrate and releasing a secondary photon with the same energy.
What occurs in Rayleigh scatter?
Thomson scatter involves a photon losing energy as it enters the atom.
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What is the coherent effect?
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Study Notes
Coherent Scattering Overview
- Also known as classical scattering, unmodified scattering, or the Thomson effect.
- Occurs when very low-energy x-ray photons interact with electrons in an atom.
- The interaction causes electrons to vibrate at the same frequency as the incoming photon.
- The vibrating atom releases energy by emitting a secondary photon, identical in energy and wavelength to the incident photon, but traveling in a different direction.
Mechanism of Coherent Scattering
- The process begins with a very low-energy photon.
- This photon interacts with a single electron or an entire atom without causing ionization; no electron is ejected from its shell.
- The electron or atom absorbs the entire photon, resulting in its vibration.
- A secondary photon is subsequently released, maintaining the original energy of the incident photon.
- The interaction alters the electron's path, and whether the photon escapes the body depends on its location.
Rayleigh Scatter
- A specific form of coherent scattering.
- Involves a single photon interacting with an atom.
- The photon does not possess enough energy to breach the atomic force field, resulting in a change in direction.
- Causes vibrations involving all electrons within the atom.
Thomson Scatter
- Another form of coherent scattering.
- A single photon successfully enters the atom, retaining all its energy.
- Changes direction while remaining within the atom, unlike in Rayleigh scatter.
Coherent Effect
- The observable outcome is a directional change or scattering of the photon without any loss of energy.
- Accounts for a minimal percentage (1%) of scatter radiation observed in patients during imaging procedures.
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Description
Explore the concept of coherent scattering through these informative flashcards. Learn about classical scattering, unmodified scattering, and the Thompson effect, along with how low-energy X-ray photons interact with atomic electrons. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of this fundamental physics topic.
