Compton Scattering Calculator
Compute the scattered wavelength and wavelength shift for photons scattering off electrons.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter incident wavelength
Provide the incoming photon wavelength in nanometers (nm).
Enter scattering angle
Angle in degrees between incident and scattered directions.
Calculate
View the scattered wavelength and the Compton shift.
Formula
Δλ = λ' − λ₀ = (h / mₑc) · (1 − cos θ) = λ_C · (1 − cos θ)
λ' = λ₀ + Δλ
For electrons, λ_C ≈ 2.426 pm.
Example: λ₀ = 0.071 nm, θ = 90° → Δλ ≈ 2.426 pm, λ' ≈ 0.073426 nm
About Compton Scattering Calculator
This calculator uses the Compton scattering formula to compute the wavelength shift experienced by photons (typically X-rays or gamma rays) scattering off free electrons.
Common Applications
- Characterizing X-ray scattering experiments
- Demonstrations of particle-like photon behavior
- Back-of-the-envelope radiation calculations
Frequently Asked Questions
Which particle mass is assumed?
This tool uses the electron mass, which is standard for Compton scattering examples.
What if the target is bound?
The ideal formula assumes free electrons. Bound electrons can introduce corrections.